Lords of Appeal in Ordinary and Judges: Appointments

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who is now responsible for (a) the appointment of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary and (b) the appointment of judges in England and Wales.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The current procedure for the appointment of Lords of Appeal in the United Kingdom is that the Prime Minister receives advice from me as Lord Chancellor before making recommendations to Her Majesty the Queen. I carry out the responsibilities of Lord Chancellor in relation to judicial appointments that are made by the Lord Chancellor and those on which advice is provided to the Prime Minister and those on which recommendations are made to Her Majesty the Queen.

The Judiciary

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have reason to call into question the competence, integrity or industry of any judges appointed since 1 May 1997.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As I have stated in the foreword to the consultation paper Constitutional Reform: a new way of appointing judges, England and Wales are well served by judges of the highest calibre. At all levels of our justice system we are fortunate to have a strong independent judiciary respected nationally and internationally. This of course applies to the judiciary in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as in England and Wales. The proposals which the Government have announced do not stem from any doubts about the competence, integrity or industry of the judiciary, whether appointed before or since 1 May 1997.

The Judiciary

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have concerns about the ability of any judges to achieve impartiality and fairness in trials involving members of the ethnic minorities or those living unorthodox lifestyles.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government are satisfied that judges deal impartially and fairly with trials, irrespective of the background of any of the people involved in the proceedings.

The Judiciary

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it has been their policy to appoint as judges those whom they regarded as the most ableand suitable for such office.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The overriding principle is, and has been, that judges are appointed on merit and that those appointed are the most able and suitable.

Personal Injury Claims

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Section 2(4) of the Law Reform Act 1948 should be repealed for all personal injury claims so that patients' rehabilitation could be provided by the National Health Service, with the cost recouped from the insurer, thereby providing funds to develop widespread rehabilitation facilities.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The report of the Chief Medical Officer, Making Amends, recommended that Section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948 should be amended so that the costs of future care in any award for clinical negligence made against the National Health Service should no longer reflect the cost of private treatment. That recommendation is currently the subject of consultation. The Government intend to consider the implications of the recommendation for personal injury claims generally.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the absence of legal protection for unmarried opposite-sex cohabiting couples with children, by way of access to a civil partnership registration scheme, encourages such couples to remain together and to remain jointly responsible for the upbringing of their children.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government believe that both parents should be involved in their children's upbringing. Unmarried fathers can obtain parental responsibility for their children by agreement with their partner or, where appropriate, by application to court. Provisions contained in the Adoption and Children Act 2002, which received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002, when brought into effect will enable unmarried fathers to obtain parental responsibility by registering the birth of their children jointly with their partners.

Northern Ireland: New TSN Status

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What areas of Northern Ireland have been given Targeting Social Need status; what are the criteria for selection; who makes the selection; and what the benefits are for such areas.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: There are no "New Targeting Social Need (New TSN)" status areas. Ideally targeting is aimed towards those who are in most need. Where programmes are delivered to individuals, departments must identify who are the most deprived and who need the particular service. Measures such as benefit entitlement, entitlement to free school meals etc can be used.
	Some programmes (for example, rural development, urban regeneration, etc) are delivered on an area basis and in these cases, areas must be identified for targeting. The Northern Ireland multiple deprivation measure assists with area-based targeting. It ranks electoral wards on the basis of relative deprivation. As well as an overall measure of multiple deprivation it includes separate domain measures including employment, income, health, etc which can be applied individually as appropriate.
	Another consideration in targeting resources on an area basis is that the areas to which one type of programme is appropriate, for example, urban regeneration, may not be appropriate to other types of programme, such as rural development or forestry. The need for a particular service must also be taken into account. While areas may have similar overall levels of deprivation, their specific need for particular government services such as housing, employment, schools, transport etc may differ.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Hidden Disabilities

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provision they have made for members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service who have a hidden disability such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, in promotion boards and similar procedures.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Candidates who declare a disability are asked to identify any special requirements they may need at interview or test. Reasonable adjustments are made in accordance with the nature of the disability.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Hidden Disabilities

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they make for candidates for entrance into the Northern Ireland Civil Service who may be dyslexic or dyspraxic or have another hidden disability.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Reasonable adjustments are made in accordance with the nature of the disability. This can include setting aside the normal academic requirements for administrative posts, or additional time to sit tests etc. Guidance is taken from bodies such as the British Dyslexia Association in deciding what is reasonable in specific cases.

Northern Ireland: Tourism

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 6), what part-funding the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has provided to groups for events and projects which could benefit tourism on the north coast of County Antrim.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The answer given to the noble Lord on 7 July (WA 6) was incomplete. Please find below the original full answer and additional information as requested. I apologise for the error.
	Financial assistance is available from several government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for the sustainable development of tourism throughout Northern Ireland including the north coast area of County Antrim. Accommodation development, amenity and visitor attractions, marketing programmes and events are among the areas which could be eligible for support under a variety of grant schemes.
	One specific initiative which applies to the North Antrim coast area is the Natural Resource and Rural Tourism Initiative (NRRTI). Jointly developed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the initiative is aimed at developing tourism in selected rural areas throughout Northern Ireland. Some £3.3m of the NRRTI funding has been made available during the period 2002–06 to promote and assist the development of sustainable projects which will increase the tourism potential in the Glens and north coast area of County Antrim.
	In order to build on achievements to date, a masterplan for the area will be developed as part of the recently announced ministerial initiative for the Giant's Causeway. The development of tourism beyond the Causeway itself will have a number of benefits including easing pressure on the site, assisting in encouraging visitors to stay longer in the locality and thus increasing spending.
	In addition, grant aid has been awarded to the following organisations under DCAL's Water-Based Tourism Measure funded under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II):
	
		
			  £ 
			 Glenmore Fishery, Ballycastle 4,825 
			 North Coast Angling, Portrush 49,300 
			 Predator Boat Charters, Cushendall 26,100 
		
	
	In response to your most recent question the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has part-funded the following events/organisations which may benefit tourism on the north coast of County Antrim.
	This is broken down as follows:
	
		
			 Project/Event Amount (£) 
			 NI Milk Cup 360,000 
			 North West 200 120,000 
			 NI North Coast Air Spectacular 17,500 
			 Glenmore Fishery, Ballycastle 4,825 
			 North Coast Angling, Portrush 49,300 
			 Predator Boat Charters, Cushendall 26,100

Language Implementation Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 4) concerning the budget of the Language Implementation Body, why consideration was not given to changing the proportionality of the two governments' input into the budgets for 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The proportionality of funding between the UK Government and the Irish Government for each of the North/South Implementation Bodies is determined on the basis of the benefit to each jurisdiction from their activities, and is reviewed as part of the normal budget process each year. No change was considered necessary in the course of determining the budget for 2003. While indicative figures for the budgets for 2004 and 2005 have been published, the actual budgets for 2004 and 2005 have not as yet been determined.

North/South Implementation Bodies: Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the budgets for the North/South Implementation Bodies, whether it is possible to move funds from one financial year to the next.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: There is no formal mechanism to allow for the movement of funds in respect of North/South Implementation Bodies from one financial year to the next.

North/South Implementation Bodies: Final Accounts

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all the Cross-Border Implementation Bodies have supplied final accounts for 2000, 2001 and 2002 to the North/South Ministerial Council; and, if not, which bodies have not yet supplied such accounts and why.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The position regarding final accounts is shown in the attached table.
	
		
			  Trade & Business Development Body Food Safety Promotion Board Foyle Carlingford & Irish Lights Commission Waterways Ireland Special EU Programmes Body North/South Language Body 
			  
			 2000 Supplied to NSMC Supplied to NSMC Audit ongoing Supplied to NSMC Supplied to NSMC Consolidated Accounts Audit Ongoing 
			  
			 2001 Supplied to NSMC To be supplied under the exchange of notes* Audit ongoing Audit ongoing Supplied under the exchange of notes* Consolidated Accounts awaited 
			  
			 2002 To be supplied under the exchange of notes* Audit ongoing Audit ongoing Audit ongoing To be supplied under the exchange of notes* Consolidated Accounts awaited 
		
	
	* This refers to the mechanism agreed in the exchange of notes between the British and Irish Governments of 19 November 2002.

North/South Implementation Bodies: Budgets

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all Cross-Border Implementation Bodies had their budgets approved by the North/South Ministerial Council for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002; and, if not, which bodies did not have their budgets so approved and for what reason.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Under paragraph 2.1 of Part 7 of Annex 2 of the Agreement establishing Implementation Bodies made on 8 March 1999 between the British and Irish Governments, the initial grants (the budget for the year 2000) were made from monies appropriated by the Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and from money voted by Dail Eireann.
	Under the same provision, the North/South Ministerial Council, with the approval of Finance Ministers, is required to make recommendations for subsequent years as to the amount of grants (budgets) for the Implementation Bodies to be paid from money voted by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dail Eireann.
	Accordingly the NSMC recommended the budgetary provisions for 2001 and 2002 on 17 November 2000 and 17 December 2001 respectively.

MoTs: Waiting Times in Belfast

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the current waiting time for an MoT at the Belfast centre is almost two months; and, if so, what steps they are taking to change this state of affairs as a matter of urgency.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The average waiting time for an MoT appointment at the Belfast centre is currently 6 and a half weeks, with a maximum waiting time of 9 weeks for about 40 per cent of customers. Customers who are willing to travel to other test centres can get tests in shorter periods. For example, average waiting times last week for the Larne and Downpatrick centres were just over three weeks.
	The principal causes of the current waiting time difficulties have been a significant increase in demand and the temporary closure of test centres for the installation of new test equipment—which in turn requires an extensive programme of staff training. Demand at the Belfast centre has been particularly affected by the current temporary closure of Mallusk, which handled 13 per cent of the agency's throughput last year.
	The Mallusk centre will reopen on 16 August 2003, and the programme of refurbishment across all centres will be completed in September. In the meantime a number of steps are being taken to alleviate the position. These include: continuing efforts to recruit additional staff; increased overtime working; longer opening hours; diverting technical staff from other duties to testing; working with the equipment supplier to secure higher levels of productivity; better public information and awareness, so that customers have the option of choosing centres with lower waiting times; and relocating staff in order to match capacity and demand as closely as possible.

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 July (WA 23), whether all papers concerning decisions of the North/South Ministerial Council, including minutes of meetings and memoranda, were placed in the Library of the House, as requested.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Papers relating to the decisions made under the Exchange of Notes of 19 November 2002 up to 30 June 2003 have been placed in the Library.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3), concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, on what basis was the proportionality of the payment for the administration budget for the two governments modified between 2000 and 2003; who approved the change; and what procedure was used.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 3 June 2003 (WA 139). The proportionality of the administrative budget of the Special EU Programmes Body between the two governments was modified on the basis of the benefit to each jurisdiction from its activities. The Northern Ireland share of the budget increased in this period due to the costs relating to the SEUPB's central payments unit and regional partnership board activities that relate only to Northern Ireland.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3), concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, whether the budget for 2000 was approved by the North/South Ministerial Council; and if so, on what date.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: In accordance with the statutory requirements, initial grants (i.e. budgets for 2000) for all the North/South Implementation Bodies were made from money appropriated by the Appropriation (NI) Order 1999 and from money voted by Dail Eireann.

Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Cabinet Office and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on how government departments should deal with requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Minister for the Cabinet Office published the Government's response (Cm 5890) to the Public Administration Select Committee's report on Ombudsman Issues on 22 July. A copy has been sent to the noble Lord.
	The response includes the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Government and the ombudsman on the handling of requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Parliamentary Commissioner: Right of Public Access

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to give a high priority to amending the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 so as to create a direct right of public access to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, without the need for intervention by a Member of Parliament.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government's position is set out in the response to the Public Administration Select Committee's report on Ombudsman Issues, published on 22 July. A copy has been sent to the noble Lord.

Draft Civil Contingencies Bill: Clause 25

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is a precedent for Clause 25 of the draft Civil Contingencies Bill, which stipulates that emergency regulations should be treated as primary legislation so as to avoid their being suspended or struck down by the courts because the regulations have been made in excess of Ministers' powers; and
	Whether they consider Clause 25 of the draft Civil Contingencies Bill to be compatible with British constitutional principles of government under the rule of law.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government consider that emergency regulations of the kind proposed constitute a special case and may require special treatment in relation to certain procedures under the Human Rights Act. No other case has required special treatment of that kind since the Human Rights Act came into full effect, on 2 October 2000. The Government believe that emergency regulations are a unique case and do not intend this approach to set a precedent.
	The Government consider that Clause 25 of the draft Civil Contingencies Bill is compatible with British constitutional principles of government under the rule of law for three reasons. First, legal challenges to emergency regulations on grounds of incompatibility with the Convention rights are possible, leading to declarations of incompatibility. The mechanism for challenging the compatibility of emergency regulations, which must be approved by Parliament, is the same as that applied to Acts of Parliament. Second, legal challenges to actions under emergency regulations, as opposed to the regulations themselves, on grounds of incompatibility with Convention rights, leading to suspension and/or striking down, are possible. Third, legal challenges to emergency regulations on grounds other than incompatibility with Convention rights, leading to suspension and/or striking down, are possible.

Ministers' Interests: Disclosure

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Chancellor on 14 July, what interests Ministers will need to disclose to their Permanent Secretaries which they have not already registered in the appropriate House of Parliament.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Ministerial Code requires Ministers, on appointment to each new office, to provide their Permanent Secretary with a full list of all interests which might be thought to give rise to a conflict. The list should cover not only the Minister's personal interests but those of a spouse or partner, of children who are minors, of trusts of which the Minister or a spouse or partner is a trustee or beneficiary, or of closely associated persons.
	Details of what interests ought to be included in such a declaration are set out in paragraph 115 of the Ministerial Code.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Pay Scheme

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the staff and commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are exempt from performance-related pay; if so, why; whether this rule applies to other public bodies; and, if so, which ones.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Commissioners and staff of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are not on a performance-related pay scheme. Non-departmental public bodies can agree their pay awards with sponsoring departments, so long as there is ministerial agreement and any pay increase is within the rate of inflation.
	It is for other public bodies to decide for themselves whether they want to use the performance-related pay scheme.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the action of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in preparing a bill of rights for Northern Ireland, when the commission was not tasked to do so, constituted a proper use of public money.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Under the terms of the Belfast Agreement the Human Rights Commission was tasked with advising on the "scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience." The publication of the consultation document Making a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland by the commission has provided a focus for the important and necessary debate that will help determine what is in that advice.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Funding of Individual Applicants

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission intends to reduce the funding of individual applicants contrary to the duty in Sections 69 (5) and 70 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner had been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Gender Balance of Employees

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the gender balance of the employees of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether this balance is consistent with domestic and European equality legislation.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Attendance Record of Members

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the attendance record of members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since the commission's inception.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Strangford Lough: Residential Development

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is possible to obtain planning approval for any residential developments along the coastline of Strangford Lough.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Any proposal for residential development along the coastline of Strangford Lough, as with all planning applications in Northern Ireland, will be determined on its individual planning merits, having regard to the regional development strategy for Northern Ireland, to the local development plan so far as it is relevant to the application, and to any other material considerations such as planning policy statements or published guidance documents.

Royal Prerogative

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 June (WA 40) whether they will provide examples of public functions performed by Ministers of the Crown acting under the Royal Prerogative within a broad definition of the prerogative.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: A broad definition of the Royal Prerogative would be all the non-statutory powers of the Crown, not only those powers which are unique to the Crown. Public functions performed by Ministers of the Crown acting under the Royal Prerogative in this wider sense might include the exercise of powers to enter into contracts or to make ex gratia payments.

Northern Ireland: Single Equality Bill

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether work is progressing on a single Equality Bill for Northern Ireland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: A single Equality Bill for Northern Ireland was a commitment of the devolved administration. Work to develop proposals for a Bill is continuing.

Northern Ireland Parades Commission: Cost

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much to date the Northern Ireland Parades Commission has cost.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The total cost to the end of June 2003 of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission since its inception (March 1997) is £6,512,203.

List of Ministerial Responsibilities

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the List of Ministerial Responsibilities 2003.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Mr Douglas Alexander, announced the publication of the List of Ministerial Responsibilities on 17 July 2003. For the first time ever it has been published in both paper and electronic form. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	For the electronic version, the website can be accessed at http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/elmr/minister.nsf

Astoria Club Shooting

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give details of prosecutions brought following the injuries of two men by gunshot at the Astoria Club, Charing Cross Road on 31 October 2001.

Lord Goldsmith: The shooting at the Astoria Club, Charing Cross Road took place on 1 November 2001, as a result of which two men suffered gunshot wounds. The incident was investigated by officers of the Metropolitan Police from Operation Trident. Unfortunately, due to a lack of co-operation from the victims and witnesses and a lack of any direct evidence, no suspects have been identified.

Montserrat

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent developments there have been following the volcanic eruption in Montserrat; and what further action has been or is being taken.

Baroness Amos: Serious volcanic ashing has affected much of the island, causing damage to infrastructure and harm to crops and the island ecosystem. We have set aside up to £1.5 million for immediate emergency purposes, including a major ash clearance operation that is now being co-ordinated by the Government of Montserrat. Since Saturday 19 July parts of the exclusion zone around the fringes of the Belham Valley have been opened during the daylight hours (6.00 am to 6.00 pm) for those owning property in those areas. We will continue to keep the situation under close review.

Malaria

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they are doing to improve the control of malaria and the treatment of infected children in Africa.

Baroness Amos: DfID remains strongly committed to meeting the Millennium Development Goal to halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015, recognising the importance of malaria, not just in terms of disease burden, but also the potential it has to undermine economic growth and human development.
	Since 1998, DfID has provided in excess of £110 million to support malaria control activities globally and at country-level. This includes support to Roll Back Malaria, an international partnership to reduce competition and duplication of effort, develop technical consensus, increase political commitment and raise the profile of malaria.
	This commitment to combating malaria has been recently reaffirmed by DfID's pledge to increase its commitment to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria to 280 million US dollars. Successful implementation of existing Global Fund proposals will result in the annual number of treatments for resistant malaria in Africa increasing from 15,000 to 4 million and result in the purchase of 7.5 million insecticide-treated nets (ITN) over the next two years. These nets offer substantial protection against malaria. The proper use of insecticide-treated nets, combined with prompt treatment for malaria at community level, can reduce malaria transmission by as much as 60 per cent and the overall young child death rate by at least one-fifth.
	DfID also provides support to the Medical Research Council (MRC); to the Malaria Consortium Resource Centre; and to initiatives to help find new low-cost malaria treatments. Malaria control activities at country-level are supported through DfID bilateral country programmes.
	DfID is committed to supporting national governments and partners in order to ensure that effective drugs and commodities are accessible to the poor. We have committed over £1.5 billion, since 1997, to strengthen health systems to deliver vital drugs and health care treatment.

Liberia

Lord Desai: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they could provide an update on recent developments in Liberia and on their response to them.

Baroness Amos: Following the most recent fighting in Liberia, between 200,000–300,000 people had to leave their homes and seek shelter in over 100 different locations in Monrovia. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a small number of NGOs have provided emergency humanitarian assistance throughout the crisis under extreme conditions, and in the last few weeks, the UN and additional NGOs have re-entered Liberia to increase the humanitarian effort. Malnutrition remains a major concern particularly among vulnerable groups, and safe drinking water as well as sanitation and basic hygiene remain critical issues, especially in the areas where refugees have moved to. Security remains a major concern for operational humanitarian agencies. While the deployment of ECOWAS (ECOMIL) has stabilised a secure zone in and around central Monrovia, access is still very limited outside the city. Agencies are operating on the basis of ad hoc negotiated access to rebel-controlled areas. In such difficult circumstances, it is crucial that the UN takes a strong lead in humanitarian co-ordination. After a difficult beginning, the agencies have reported that co-ordination with the UN has now dramatically improved.
	On 21 August DfID committed an additional £4.7 million to support humanitarian needs in Liberia. The funds are being allocated to UN agencies. NGOs and the ICRC to provide an immediate response. This brings the UK's total humanitarian assistance to Liberia to £7.6 million this year. Our approach is to strengthen the UN system to take on a lead role in co-ordination and delivery of assistance, to support NGOs and the Red Cross in provision of immediate relief, and to ensure collaboration between the major donors in planning and monitoring of assistance. Last month we hosted a meeting of NGOs working in Liberia, or planning to do so, to discuss the situation and identify what help is needed on the ground. We have invited NGOs to put proposals to us and we have just agreed to fund a supplementary feeding programme for all refugee children under the age of five in Monrovia. Our strategy has been developed with advice from an assessment team who are currently based in Monrovia. This team will remain in the region to assess the evolving humanitarian situation in Liberia, and monitor DfID-funded operations.
	The UK is committed to working closely with the international community to ensure that ECOMIL, and the UN Mission planned for Liberia, are successful in restoring peace and security. We have contributed £1 million to ECOMIL and have seconded a military adviser to ECOWAS. We have also offered military advisors to the UN planning mission and headquarters. The UK is also working in the UN Security Council to ensure that the forthcoming resolution authorises the deployment of a UN mission with a strong mandate to: restore and maintain security; establish peace-building initiatives; and provide the conditions to allow the transitional government to operate effectively and work towards holding free and fair elections. We are monitoring developments in the region closely to ensure that ex-combatants do not cause problems in neighbouring countries. A regional approach to disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDF) will be important if the region is to eliminate the "guns for hire" culture that has developed. We are discussing options for DDR with the UN, ECOWAS and other interested parties, and are considering how we can best support this process.

Russia: Media Independence

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the recent closing of the last major independent television network in Russia, they have discussed independence of the media with Russian representatives.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The closure of TVS gives rise for concern and we and EU partners have issued a joint declaration about the negative impact this will have on the plurality and independence of the electronic media in Russia.

Hong Kong: Security Legislation

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that the new Security Bill for Hong Kong passed its Committee stage in eight hours and is likely to become law on 9 July, what discussion they are having with the government of China on this subject.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Article 23 of the Basic Law states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) shall enact national security legislation "on its own". We have therefore made frequent representations to the SAR Government on this issue, including at ministerial level.
	We have also discussed the issue with the Chinese Government. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr Rammell) did so with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in January and my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary did so on 25 June with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. On 21 July, during his visit to China, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister discussed Article 23 with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
	The legislation was not passed on 9 July. Following a large demonstration in Hong Kong on 1 July, the Chief Executive announced significant amendments to the legislation on 5 July, including the removal of the proposed new provisions regarding the proscription of Hong Kong organisations subordinate to organisations proscribed on the mainland on national security grounds. This had been one of the main concerns of the people of Hong Kong and of the international community and we had repeatedly expressed our concern on this issue. On 7 July the Chief Executive announced that passage of the legislation would be delayed to allow more time for further discussion in Hong Kong. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr Rammell) issued a press statement on 16 July welcoming these significant developments.
	We shall continue to follow developments closely.

Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the conditions in which British citizens are currently being detained by United States authorities at Guantanamo, as regards visits from their families and their lawyers; access to exercise, recreational and educational facilities; and access to books, newspapers and television.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: British officials have visited the British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay five times, most recently in April. As part of the visits they checked on the welfare of the detainees, who appeared generally to be in sound physical health. The physical conditions of their detention appear to be broadly satisfactory. However, we have raised any welfare concerns we may have with the US authorities.
	We understand that provision for exercise has improved from the minimum of two 15-minute periods of exercise outside every week, but varies according to circumstances. The camp authorities provide some books, including the Koran.

Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider the Military Commissions proposed for the trial of British citizens detained at Guantanamo are independent and impartial tribunals established by law, as required by Article 14 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said during Prime Minister's Questions on 9 July, Official Report, Commons, col. 1152–3, "Any commission or tribunal must be conducted in accordance with the proper canons of law so that a fair trial takes place and is seen to take place".
	The UK has made this view clear to the US. On 18 July the US announced that they would not commence any military commission proceedings against UK nationals, pending discussions between American and British legal experts. The Attorney-General visited Washington on 21–22 July for talks with the US Administration. He secured a number of assurances from the Administration, including that the US will not seek the death penalty against the two British detainees who have been designated as eligible for the commissions, and will be returning to the US shortly for further discussions.

Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the public concern of the Red Cross representative visiting Guantanamo Bay that open-ended detention is having an impact on the mental health of prisoners, how the Government will verify the fitness of any British detainees to plead before a military tribunal.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The US announced on 18 July that they would not commence any military commission proceedings against UK nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay, pending discussions between American and British legal experts. We understand from the US authorities that medical facilities, including psychiatric care, at Guantanamo Bay available to the detainees are of a high standard and are the same as those for US military personnel. We firmly believe that a fair judicial process should take account of a person's fitness to stand trial. This is one of the specific issues we have raised with the US authorities, and continue to discuss with them.

Chechnya: Human Rights

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Russian government about the continued resort to torture and other forms of ill treatment by members of law enforcement agencies and federal forces operating in the Chechen Republic, and the insufficiency of action taken to bring to justice those responsible, as stated by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Punishment on 10 July.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have repeatedly stressed the urgent need for the thorough, transparent and effective investigation of human rights violations in Chechnya, and for the prosecution and punishment of those responsible. The issues of ill treatment and torture were raised at our bilateral human rights talks in March 2003. We have emphasised that the failure to deal with this problem risks undermining Russian efforts to initiate a political process in the republic, and the prospects for securing a lasting solution to the conflict in Chechnya.

Togo: EU Relations

Lord Maclennan of Rogart: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their position in discussions about the future relations of the European Union with Togo, following the recent presidential election in that country.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We remain deeply worried about poor governance in Togo and have been active in ensuring that EU policy takes full account of this. We supported the most recent EU statement issued on 4 July, which highlighted serious concerns about events during the run-up to the 1 June elections, their conduct and subsequent events. The statement also called on the Togolese Government to commit themselves to an effective inter-Togolese dialogue.
	EU aid to Togo has been suspended since 1993. We believe that the Togolese authorities need to take positive action to promote democratic principles before EU aid is resumed.

US Senate and House of Representatives: Members' Passports

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any inquiries have been made in the past five years by any staff members of Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington about the numbers of members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives holding valid passports for foreign travel; and, if so, what results the inquiries revealed.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have found no record of any formal inquiries of this nature in the past five years.

Iraq: Political and Physical Reconstruction

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the British and United States Governments will produce a coherent plan, with a clear timetable, for the political and physical reconstruction of Iraq.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Coalition plans for political and physical rehabilitation are as follows:
	The Iraqi Governing Council formed on 13 July is the principal element of the interim administration called for in Resolution 1483 and has been welcomed by the UN. The council has significant powers that will increase over time. An early task for the council is to determine how a new constitution should be prepared. Once adopted, it will pave the way for elections and an internationally recognised representative Iraqi Government to which the coalition will hand over its powers and responsibilities.
	Our immediate priorities in securing the physical reconstruction of Iraq are the restoration of law and order and ensuring that basic public services are returned to a fully functioning state. The Iraqi police force is up and running and conducting patrols with coalition military and we are working on the rebuilding of a new Iraqi army. We are also working with the Iraqi ministries to enable them to improve on the social and physical infrastructure of Iraq and develop a robust economic policy, which will empower the Iraqi people to manage their own free market democracy.
	Timing of both the political process and of reconstruction will depend on how quickly the interim administration can take these issues forward, with coalition/UN help.

Iraq: Political and Physical Reconstruction

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the Bremer administration is doing to restore the Iraqi police force, civil service, judiciary, armed forces and customs services; and what resources the Bremer administration has in Iraq to achieve these tasks.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is working with the United Nations and the international community on all aspects of the reconstruction of Iraq, as called for in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483.
	We are making progress. The Iraqi police force is up and running and conducting patrols with the coalition military. Prisons and courts are open to try those arrested. The new Iraqi army has started recruiting with the aim of recruiting and training a 40,000 strong force in the next two years. The CPA is working with 19 Iraqi ministries, including on the immigration and customs side, and civil servants are returning to work.
	To pay for the reconstruction process, UNSCR 1483 enables the CPA to draw from the oil revenues and seized Iraqi assets transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq. The UK and other international contributors have also committed resources and specialists to help in the reconstruction process.

Iraq: Political and Physical Reconstruction

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What resources Ambassador Bremer possesses to conduct the government of Iraq efficiently and effectively; what funds this requires; and where those funds will come from.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Ambassador Bremer has a staff of around 1,200 secondees.
	United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 enables the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to draw from the oil revenues and seized Iraqi assets transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq in order to pay for public expenditure in Iraq. The interim 2003 budget for Iraq makes provision for the restoration and upgrading of the administrative infrastructure of Iraq, in addition to the payment of public sector wages. Details of the budget for 2003 are available on the CPA website at www.cpa-iraq.org/Budget2003.pdf.
	The 2004 Budget will be drawn up by the Iraqi Governing Council, formed on 13 July, together with the CPA and representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme. The Governing Council also has the right to consider substantial amendments to the 2003 interim budget.

Small Retailers

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to assist small retailers in deprived areas to improve the security of their business in the current year.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are pleased to announce today the specific projects which will receive funding from the 2003–04 allocation from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist small retailers in deprived areas to improve the security of their business.
	Some £5.8 million has been distributed to regions in England and Wales according to the formula based on an equal share for each region, crimes impacting on retailers and percentage of people living in the most deprived wards. The remaining £200,000 of the third year funding has been set aside for administration and evaluation.
	This year's funding will provide assistance to a minimum of 5,000 individual retailers and essential businesses. As in previous years, this funding will be spent on schemes identified by regional Home Office directors, in conjunction with crime and disorder reduction partnerships and a variety of interventions will be employed, including enhancing the security of individual premises and improving the environment of shopping parades. This will mean that over the 3 years of the initiative, since 2001, over 12,500 individual shops units will have directly benefitted from improved security measures.
	We have placed in the Library a paper showing the allocations of funds to individual projects. The Home Secretary has also written to honourable Members in England and Wales who have projects in their constituencies.
	
		Small Retailers in Deprived Areas: Specific Sites to Benefit From Year Three Funding (2003–04)
		
			 Name of Scheme Funding (£) 
			 Eastern Region 
			 Shedding Light on Retail Crime in Basildon 27,405 
			 St Andrews Retail Project, Colchester 21,202 
			 Wisbech North Ward, Fenland, Cambridgeshire* 21,202 
			 Operation Shop Safe, Great Yarmouth 58,416 
			 Safer Gaywood Project, King's Lynn 33,607 
			 Biscot and Dallow Small Retails Project, Luton 27,405 
			 Kingsbrook Small Retailers Initiative, North Bedfordshire 21,202 
			 Norwich SRDA 2003–04 (2 Schemes) 27,405 
			 Peterborough Supports Small Retailers (3 Sites) 33,607 
			 Bedwell and Rockingham Way Shops, Stevenage 21,202 
			 Clacton Small Shop Scheme 33,607 
			 Thurrock Assisting Small Retailers 27,405 
			 Britten Centre & Battery Green Multi-Storey Car Park Safety  and Environment Improvements Projects, Waveney 39,810 
			  393,475 
			 East Midlands 
			 Leicester Retail Crime Initiative 75,000 
			 Nottingham Retail Crime Initiative 111,000 
			 Bolsover Retail Crime Initiative 75,000 
			 Bassetlaw Retail Crime Initiative 15,000 
			 Derby Retail Crime Initiative 40,000 
			 Mansfield Retail Crime Initiative 40,000 
			 Erewash Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 Chesterfield Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 East Lindsay Retail Crime Initiative 45,000 
			 Ashfield Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 Newark and Sherwood Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 West Lindsay Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 North East Derbyshire Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 South Kesteven Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			  471,000 
			 London 
			 Gale Street Lighting, Barking and Dagenham 25,544 
			 Brent Target Hardening Scheme 34,587 
			 Camden Small Retailers Initiative 57,194 
			 Retail Crime Reduction & Regeneration Project, Croydon* 16,501 
			 Ealing Small Retailers Project 16,501 
			 Enfield Small Retailers in Deprived Areas 30,065 
			 Greenwich Small Retailers 57,194 
			 Hackney Target Hardening Scheme 114,000 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham CCTV Scheme 21,023 
			 Haringey Target Hardening Scheme 57,672 
			 Islington Radio Scheme 66,236 
			 Kensington & Chelsea Small Retailers Project 21,023 
			 Lambeth Small Retailers Project 25,544 
			 Shop Security Radio Scheme, Lewisham 30,065 
			 Newham Small Retailers Scheme* 115,971 
			 Southwark Small Retailers 79,800 
			 Tower Hamlets Shops Scheme 93,534 
			 Waltham Forest Small Retailers Scheme 30,065 
			 Westminster Small Retailers 2003–04 21,023 
			  908,542 
			 North East 
			 Alnwick Small Retailers Scheme 10,000 
			 Seahouses CCTV Scheme & Berwick upon Tweed Fraud Prevention Scheme 10,000 
			 Business Crime Reduction Project, Blyth Valley 20,000 
			 Castle Morpeth CCTV Scheme* 10,000 
			 Small Retailer Scheme, Gateshead 24,000 
			 Newcastle City Retailers 35,000 
			 North Tyneside Small Retailers Project 20,000 
			 South Tyneside CCTV Scheme 35,000 
			 Digital Camera Safe Project, Sunderland 35,000 
			 Tynedale Small Retailers Scheme* 10,000 
			 Retail Crime Initiative, Wansbeck 20,000 
			 Small Retailers Initiative, Derwentside 20,000 
			 City of Durham Small Retailers Crime Prevention Scheme 10,000 
			 Sedgefield Shop Fronts 20,000 
			 Creating Safer Shops in Chester West and Grange Villa,  Chester-le-Street 10,000 
			 Small Retailers CCTV Scheme, Darlington 20,000 
			 Billingham Shops Improvement Project, Stockton 35,000 
			 Teesdale Safer Retailers 10,000 
			 Wear Valley Safer Retailers Initiative* 24,000 
			 Shop Watching, Easington 35,000 
			 Whale Hill Shopping Centre, Eston, Redcar 24,000 
			 Assisting Small Retailers, Middlesbrough 35,000 
			 Hartlepool CCTV 24,000 
			  496,000 
			 North West 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston Small Retailers Scheme 21,857 
			 Warrington Security Fencing Scheme 14,743 
			 Macclesfield Radio Equipment 10,000 
			 Chester Radio Scheme and Improvements 14,743 
			 Congleton CCTV Retailers Scheme 10,000 
			 Halton Security Grants 33,713 
			 Vale Royal Security Improvements 12,371 
			 West Street Small Retailers Scheme, Crewe and Nantwich* 12,371 
			 Eden/Carlisle Small Retailers Scheme 22,371 
			 South Lakeland Small Retailers 2003–04 10,000 
			 Central Barrow Retailers 24,228 
			 Shop Security Initiative 2003–04 Allerdale and Copeland Areas 41,342 
			 Bury Retail Security Initiative 12,371 
			 Mocha Parade, Broughton, Salford 15,000 
			 Whittle Street, Salford 10,000 
			 Individual Repeat Victims, Salford 6,342 
			 Gorton Villa Shops, Manchester 37,000 
			 Brunswick Street, Ardwick 37,026 
			 Newport Street, Bolton 26,599 
			 South Trafford Small Business Security 7,372 
			 Canterbury Road, Trafford 7,371 
			 Hyde (Godley) CCTV, Thameside 14,743 
			 Rochdale Small Retailers in Deprived Areas Project 28,971 
			 Oldham Small Retailers Scheme 26,599 
			 Reddish District Centre, Stockport 12,371 
			 Smithy Green CCTV System, Wigan 19,485 
			 Burnley Small Retailer Scheme 19,485 
			 Small Retailers in Deprived Areas, Pendle 26,599 
			 Eaves Lane CCTV System, Chorley 10,000 
			 Target Hardening/Takeaway Watch, Rossendale 10,000 
			 Small Retailers in Ribble Valley 2003–04 10,000 
			 Royal Avenue Small Retailers Project, South Ribble 10,000 
			 Inner Preston Retail Crime Initiative 24,228 
			 Blackburn with Darwen Small Retailers Scheme 33,713 
			 Small Retailers Loud and Clear, Hyndburn 19,485 
			 Fylde Retail Crime Initiative 10,000 
			 Blackpool Small Retailers Initiative 2003 (3 Projects) 26,599 
			 Digmoor Parade, Skelmerdale 19,485 
			 Operation Re-Glaze, Wyre 14,743 
			 Target Hardening, Lancaster (2 Projects) 17,114 
			 Kennelwood Avenue Shops Security Project, Knowsley 27,620 
			 Kirby Town Centre Radio Link, Knowsley 13,014 
			 Old Farm Road Shops, Knowsley 12,050 
			 St Helens Small Retailers Security Project 2003–04 26,599 
			 Neighbourhood Shops CCTV Initiative, Sefton 28,971 
			 Old Chester Road/Rock Lane West Retailers Safety Project,  Wirral 12,114 
			 Twickenham Drive Retailers Safety Project, Wirral 12,114 
			 Liverpool CDRP (CitySafe) Scargreen Avenue Alleygate  Project 15,000 
			 Muirhead Avenue/Eaton Road North Security Project,  Liverpool 15,283 
			 Muirhead Avenue Alleygate Project, Liverpool 10,000 
			 Breck Road Radio Link, Liverpool 16,000 
			 Broadway Shooping Centre Radio Link, Liverpool 13,000 
			  942,205 
			 South East 
			 Britwell and Others, Slough* 50,000 
			 Blackbird Leys and Barton, Oxford* 150,000 
			 Temple Hill, Dartford* 25,000 
			 Westbrook Traders CCTV Scheme, Thanet* 70,000 
			 Community Safety Improvements for Redbridge Retailers,  Southampton 20,000 
			 The Botley Drive Crime and Disorder Reduction  Partnership, Havant 20,000 
			 Battle Road Business & Retail Security, Hastings 20,000 
			 Kestrel Retailers Safety Project, Medway 20,000 
			 Old High Street—Crime Reduction Initiative, Shepway 47,580 
			 Central Whitehawk Shops, Brighton & Hove 20,000 
			 Kingsley Road Post Office, Maidstone 6,000 
			 Somerstown Retailers Initiative, Portsmouth 35,000 
			 Buckland Retailers Initiative, Portsmouth 10,000 
			  493,580 
			 South West 
			 Bristol Filwood Small Retailers Scheme* 64,770 
			 Kerrier Small Retailers Scheme* 51,810 
			 North Somerset Small Retailers 2003–04* 25,906 
			 Project 'Open All Hours', Plymouth 38,860 
			 West Cornwall Community Safety Team Small Retailers  2003–04 38,860 
			 Year 3 Penhill—Hannington Close Parade—Crime  Reduction 36,000 
			 Boscombe Traders Project, Bournemouth 16,790 
			 Small Business Security Support Scheme, Gloucester 25,906 
			 Community Retail Initiative—North Devon 2003–04 25,906 
			 Exeter Retail Crime Scheme (Fore Street) 12,954 
			 Small Retailers Scheme for Weymouth and Portland— Littlemoor Shopping Centre 12,954 
			 Penwerris Small Retailers Initiative 2003–04, Carrick 12,954 
			 Priorswood Place Security Improvements 2003–04, Taunton 12,954 
			 Westward Ho! Small Retailers Initiative 12,954 
			  389,578 
			 Wales 
			 Caernarfon Business Watch Scheme & Stryd Fawr, Deiniolen, Caernarfon 21,150 
			 Ceredigion Partnership Security Scheme 38,396.50 
			 Ynys Mon Radio Shopwatch Scheme, Anglesey 20,000 
			 Caerphilly Small Retailers Crime Reduction Project 11,000 
			 Plas Madoc Shops and Roads, Wrexham 25,000 
			 West Rhyl Retailer Group, Rhyl 20,000 
			 Ebbw Fach Crime Reduction Partnership, Blaenau Gwent 15,000 
			 Brecon CCTV Scheme, Powys 20,000 
			 Blaenymaes Shopping Area, Swansea 25,000 
			 Vale of Glamorgan Small Retailers 18,273 
			 Cardiff Small Retailers Project 30,000 
			 Pembrokeshire Small Retailers 38,537.50 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff Small Retailers Initiative 40,000 
			 Safer Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre Retail Crime 15,000 
			 Broughton CCTV Scheme, Flintshire 37,400 
			 Neath Port Talbot Small Retailers 6,500 
			  381,257 
			 West Midlands 
			 Broomhill, Cannock* 23,000 
			 Dudley Safer Shopping* 75,000 
			 Walsall Retail Crime Initiative* 70,000 
			 Wolverhampton Neighbourhood Shop Watch* 120,000 
			 Operation Neon, Birmingham 120,000 
			 Camp Hill Retailers Phase 2, Nuneaton and Bedworth 35,000 
			 Stanton Road Shopping Centre Security Improvements,  Coventry 50,000 
			 Severn Grove Regeneration Project, Wyre Forest 20,000 
			 Brookside Safety Partnership, Telford and Wrekin 50,000 
			 Hughes Avenue—Cross Heath Small Retailers Initiative,  Newcastle under Lyme 20,000 
			 Sandwell Traders Association Retail Crime Initiative 50,000 
			 Solihull Security Improvements 20,000 
			 Congleton Road Shops 13,182 
			  666,182 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 
			 Barnsley Business Crime* 72,927 
			 Security for Shops, Bradford 72,927 
			 Small Retailer Security Programme, Calderdale 24,309 
			 Doncaster Small Retailers Scheme Phase 2* 89,133 
			 Hull Small Retailers Scheme 81,030 
			 Reducing Retail Crime and Disorder in Kirklees 24,309 
			 Leeds Deprived Areas Modernisation Scheme* 56,721 
			 Frodingham Road Radio Scheme, North Lincolnshire 20,000 
			 Scheme to Assist Small Retailers in Deprived Areas, North  East Lincolnshire* 24,309 
			 Safer Shops Rotherham 48,618 
			 Eastfield High Street Crime Reduction, Scarborough* 20,054 
			 Sheffield First for Safety Small Retailers RD 2, Sheffield 81,030 
			 Wakefield Shopwatch Crime Prevention Initiative 40,515 
			  655,882 
		
	
	* Funding already agreed in 2003–04 as a 2-year project.

Prison Population

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 30 June (WA 54), whether they consider that it is their responsibility to plan the maximum desirable size of the prison population in England and Wales; and, if so, what do they consider is the maximum desirable size of the prison population in current circumstances.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have made it clear that it is for the courts to decide, in individual criminal cases, the appropriate sentence for an offender by reference to the facts of the case and the offender's circumstances. It is not for the Government to determine the size of the prison population but they do believe that prison should be reserved for serious, dangerous and the most persistent of offenders.
	It is the duty of the Prison Service to receive and accommodate, in humane conditions, those prisoners sent to it by the courts. The Government are keeping under review the demand on prison places and the capacity of the Prison Service to meet those demands.

Religious Discrimination

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to implement their strategy to combat religious discrimination.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are currently undertaking a review of the way that the Government relate to faith communities. This review will lay the foundations for the effective long-term involvement of the faith communities' perspectives and needs in policy development across government.
	The Government have introduced new legislation to tackle discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 will come into force in December 2003 and will prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the areas of employment and vocational training.
	We have also recently created a new unit in the Home Office—the Faith Communities Unit. Its work will support our efforts to address issues of religious discrimination.
	We believe that these initiatives will enable us for the first time to identify and tackle the disadvantages faced by the members of religious communities in a structured and coherent way.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000: Implementation by Public Bodies

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the progress being made by public bodies to comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 is satisfactory; and what steps they propose to take with regard to those public bodies which did not produce policies and schemes as required by 31 May 2002, and still continue to disregard their statutory duty.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Independent research commissioned by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has found that between 83 per cent and 99 per cent of relevant authorities and institutions had produced a race equality scheme or policy; 43 per cent of these were found to be fully or mainly developed. The aim now is to move from process—getting the structures and systems in place—to delivery of improvements.
	The CRE has the power to take enforcement action against any public authority failing to comply with any specific duties imposed on it. However, the emphasis is on supporting public bodies to get implementation of the requirements of the Act right. The Home Office is working closely with the CRE to develop ways to offer this support and to monitor progress.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000: Implementation by Public Bodies

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect institutional racism to have been eliminated from the policies and practices of public bodies; and what involvement the victims of discrimination will have in the evaluation processes.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, which came into force in April 2001, placed a general duty on listed public bodies to be proactive in promoting race equality. It is a positive duty, requiring public authorities to seek to avoid unlawful discrimination before it occurs. As policy makers and service providers they need to take steps to ensure that their policies and services are fair, and to put things right when they are unfair or unlawful. As employers, they need to ensure that their procedures and practices are fair so that the public sector can better reflect the society it serves. The duty under the Act is a lever to raise standards of practice and to lead towards elimination of discrimination.
	Public bodies were required to have in place by 31 May 2002 realistic and timely plans for complying with their new obligations under the RR(A)A. The aim of the duty is to lead to sustainable and significant change over a period of time—it is not about putting in place "quick fix" solutions or arrangements. The time-scale for delivery of improvement will vary across different bodies. The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has issued codes of practice which provide guidance to public bodies. The Home Office is working closely with the CRE to support effective implementation of the duty to promote race equality.
	The Act requires public bodies to consult on the likely impact of proposed new policies on race equality and this should involve a wide range of black and minority ethnic communities. Race equality schemes should include arrangements for assessing which of their functions are relevant to the duty, which should be reviewed at least every three years.

Abortion

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the abortions of girls under 16 years of age have led to criminal prosecutions of those individuals responsible for making these girls pregnant in the past five years for which statistics are available.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information requested is not available centrally for England and Wales. The figures collected on persons proceeded against for various offences connected with unlawful sexual intercourse do not identify cases where abortions may have taken place.
	Information for Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Office and that for Northern Ireland for the Northern Ireland Office.

Identity Cards: Biometric Data

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what basis they estimate that there would be a £39 charge for the issue of proposed identity cards containing biometric data; and whether it includes an allowance for the cost of the appropriate infrastructure, card readers, and associated hardware.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have not reached a conclusion following the recent consultation exercise on whether or not to implement a card scheme. There are a number of ways in which a scheme could be implemented which would give rise to different estimates of cost.

Criminal Records Bureau: Capita Contract

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) what proportion by value of the work contracted to Capita Hartshead by the Criminal Records Bureau is undertaken in the United Kingdom; and
	(b) what is the total annual value of contracts between the Criminal Records Bureau and Capita Hartshead.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information sought by the right honourable gentleman in relation to the proportion by value of the work contracted to Capita Group plc by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) undertaken in the United Kingdom is not available. Under the terms of the CRB contract, all of the work contracted to Capita Group plc is carried out in the United Kingdom, with the exception of an element of the disclosure data entry process which is conducted in India. That process involves the data entry of personal information from the application form into an electronic format. This work is conducted at the beginning of the process and no information from police sources or other data sources is involved. The price paid for this work is commercially sensitive between Hays Commercial Services and Capita Group plc and cannot therefore be disclosed according to the terms of the contract.
	At the time the contract was awarded in August 2000, it was estimated to be worth £400 million over 10 years. The annual value of the contract between CRB and Capita is dependent on activity volumes. In the financial year to 31 March 2003 the CRB paid Capita £22.7 million in service charges under the contract and £13.1 million in respect of contract changes in that year.

Prisons: Racist Incidents

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) What proportion of prisoners' complaints about racist incidents are upheld; (b) how many prison staff have been dismissed since April 2002 as a result of findings of racial discrimination or harassment at employment tribunals; (c) what systems exist in the Prison Service for staff and prisoners to report racist incidents to third parties; and (d) what figures are available on recalls to prison for breaches of parole, broken down by ethnic group.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Prisoners' complaints about allegedly racist incidents are investigated locally by individual establishments and no central record is maintained about the number of incidents that are upheld. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Since April 2002, no member of prison staff has been dismissed for racial discrimination or harassment as a result of an Employment Tribunal. However, since April 2002, five members of staff have been dismissed for this type of offence as a result of internal disciplinary action under the Prison Service code of conduct and discipline. The dismissals arose because of two incidents of staff against staff; two incidents of staff against prisoners and one incident of staff against a member of the public.
	Prisoners and staff can report racist incidents to a number of third parties. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman can investigate any incident on behalf of a prisoner once internal investigation procedures have been exhausted. Prisoners can raise any issues, including racial incidents, with the independent members board at any stage. Both staff and prisoners can report racist incidents to the Commission for Racial Equality. Serious racist incidents can also be referred through the Governor to the police.
	The most recent period for which complete statistics are available on recalls to prison for breaches of parole, broken down by ethnic group are for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. During this period, there were a total of 420 prisoners recalled to prison as a result of breaching their parole. Their ethnic breakdown is as follows:
	White 335
	Black 57
	South Asian 9
	Mixed ethnicity 19

Afghan Refugees: Resettlement

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Afghan refugees in the United Kingdom have been resettled in Afghanistan since 2001; how many have been sent back forcibly; and how many have returned to the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The number of people in receipt of a resettlement grant under the Return to Afghanistan Programme (RAP) between its commencement on 20 August 2002 and 31 March 2003 (the latest date for which information is available) was 40.
	Information on the destination of enforced removals would only be available by examination of individual case-files; this would incur disproportionate cost. Information on the number of people who, having been removed from the United Kingdom, subsequently return is not available.

Licensed Premises: Criminal Offences in Vicinity

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will advise the Metropolitan Police to provide details of criminal offences committed on, or in the vicinity of, licensed premises, when requested to do so by the licensing authority.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under the Licensing Act 2003, the chief officer of police for any police area in which premises are situated will be able to apply for a review of the premises licence if it appears to him that crime is taking place in or in the vicinity of those premises. In doing so, the police will have to provide the licensing authority with evidence of offences or suspected offences which have taken place there.
	A revision of the draft statutory guidance for licensing authorities and the police that will accompany the Act will be available shortly. Final guidance will then require parliamentary approval.

Equinox Club, Leicester Square: Alleged Serious Criminal Offences

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many alleged serious criminal offences were reported to the police from the Equinox Club, Leicester Square, and its vicinity, from the beginning of 2002 to the latest convenient date.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: In the period 1 January 2002 to 16 July 2003, the Metropolitan Police received 119 allegations of crime in or near the Equinox Club, Leicester Square. Of these, 17 can be viewed as serious cases. These are very broad statistics and further detailed research would need to be undertaken to ascertain how many of the allegations actually related to the Equinox Club.

Criminal Offences: Motivation

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What statistics are maintained by police forces in England and Wales of criminal offences motivated by racial or religious hatred and homophobia; and whether convictions for offences aggravated by any of these factors are separately recorded for publication in national statistics; and
	How many offences were (a) reported to police forces in England and Wales; and (b) prosecuted in 2002 for incitement to commit offences against persons identified by their sexual orientation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Police forces in England and Wales are currently required to forward recorded crime statistics to the Home Office for the following offences where they are racially or religiously aggravated:
	less serious wounding;
	harassment;
	common assault;
	criminal damage to a dwelling;
	criminal damage to a building other than a dwelling;
	criminal damage to a vehicle;
	other criminal damage.
	Recorded crime figures submitted to the Home Office by police forces do not separately identify crimes motivated by homophobia. This is because, unlike racially or religiously aggravated offences, homophobic crime is not a distinct offence in law, and is instead included within the figures for other offences according to the nature of the action.
	Statistics of persons proceeded against for offences of racially aggravated offences separately identify the following:
	wounding or inflicting grevous bodily harm;
	actual bodily harm;
	common assault;
	intentional harassment, alarm or distress;
	the offence of harassment;
	putting people in fear of violence;
	other criminal damage.
	The figures are published as a group in Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System (a Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991), and are available individually on demand.
	The same offences, but when religiously aggravated, or when both racially and religiously aggravated, have been collected since January 2002, but offences aggravated by homophobia are not collected separately, for the reason given above.
	The numbers of crimes reported to police forces for incitement to commit offences against persons identified by their sexual orientation are not collected centrally. The statistics collected centrally on persons proceeded against do not enable such offences to be separately identified either.

Convention on the Future of Europe: Protocols and Proposed Constitutional Treaty

Lord Howell of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the United Kingdom's Schengen opt-out on border controls will be preserved under the proposed Constitutional Treaty of the European Union.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The draft constitutional treaty produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe makes clear that the protocols attached to it remain an integral part of it. This will include the protocol integrating the Schengen acquis, under which the UK has made a successful application for partial participation.
	The Government's position on the Protocols relating to our frontier controls in general and our opt-out from the Schengen agreement in particular has not changed. We will maintain controls at the UK's frontiers.

Home Office: Accommodation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the present headquarters of the Home Office was built; and what was the cost (including fitting-out and moving costs) taking inflation into account.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The lease for the present headquarters of the Home Office commenced on 24 June 1976. The costs associated with their fitting out and moving are not known. They were the responsibility of the former Property Services Agency (PSA).

Home Office: Accommodation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated total cost of building and fitting out the proposed new headquarters for the Home Office, and of moving there from the present headquarters.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The demolition of the previous building, design, construction, fitting out and operation of the new Home Office headquarters in 2 Marsham Street is a PFI for a period of 29 years (three years construction, 26 years operation) commencing 26 March 2002.
	The net present cost (NPC) at the time of contract signature in March 2002 was £311 million reflecting an initial annual cost of £30.3 million. The capital cost of the building including its fit-out is the responsibility of the Supplier Annes Gate Property plc (AGP).
	The costs of moving staff, excluding IT, are part of the PFI. The IT costs associated with the move are currently being negotiated with the PFI supplier for the Home Office IT services, SIRIUS.

Home Office: Accommodation

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the Home Office's estimates of the current open market value with vacant possession of their surplus central London freehold properties Cleland House, Abell House and Horseferry House; and what professional advice they took on the risks of double-banking their exposure to the central London office market at financial close of their commitment to their new headquarters in March 2002.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The most recent open market valuations with vacant possession were prepared in March 2002:
	
		
			 Cleland House Abell House Horseferry House £23.3 million £27.3 million £17.7 million 
			 Total £68.3 million 
		
	
	These figures were provided by a leading firm of independent property consultants familiar with the central London office market. The department's accommodation strategy has secured the disposal by way of an agreement for the transfer to the Department of Constitutional Affairs of the present Home Office at 50 Queen Anne's Gate. This follows the transfer in December 2002 of Clive House to that department. Together this reduces the department's exposure to the London office market by about 39,500m(1). Inclusion of the sale of the above freehold buildings in the PFI contract for 2 Marsham Street was considered. However, the property consultants advised the department that the price tendered by the developer of £33.75 million was unlikely to offer better value for money in comparison to their expectation of what the department would achieve by arranging disposal of these buldings using a competent firm of property agents. The Office of Government Commerce also advised that it could be better value to the Exchequer as a whole if the properties were retained for potential other government use should one be identified before the new headquarters at 2 Marsham Street is occupied, Decisions on the sale of these buildings have still to be reached.

Racial Discrimination: EC Legislation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 15 July (HL3694), whether they participated in the negotiations of the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC); and, if so, what reasons, if any, were expressed during the negotiations for the exclusion of discrimination based on colour from the scope of the Race Directive.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Her Majesty's Government were fully involved in the negotiation of the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC), at the Social Questions Working Group, at COREPER and at the Social Affairs Council. There was no discussion whatsoever about either the inclusion or the exclusion of discrimination based on colour from the scope of the Race Directive.
	The Commission's original draft directive, published in November 1999, which formed the basis of the negotiations, included only "race or ethnic origin" as the grounds of discrimination. None of the member states' delegations suggested adding other grounds which their own national legislation already covered, or which were of particular concern in their own national contexts. This was in recognition that EC Directives set a minimum standard beyond which member states' legislation can—and in the case of the United Kingdom does—extend.
	Beyond this, the Government cannot speculate on the Commission's rationale for the non-inclusion of colour in the grounds of discrimination covered by the directive.

Racial Discrimination: EC Legislation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the effect of the Regulations made to implement the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC) is that under the amended Race Relations Act 1976 victims of discrimination based on colour will be less well protected in some respects than the victims of any other forms of discrimination.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The vast majority of victims of discrimination based on colour will continue to be protected under the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 which are similar in many respects to the legislation implementing the other Article 13 directives. The changes made by the regulations in order to ensure full compliance with the directive conform to the scope of the directive, which does not extend its protection to discrimination based on colour, or indeed nationality. Victims of discrimination based colour will not be less well protected, by virtue of these regulations, than victims of discrimination based on nationality.

Racial Discrimination: EC Legislation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which other member states of the European Union have implemented the Race Directive by legislation which excludes discrimination based on colour from the prohibition against racial discrimination.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We understand that three member states in addition to the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden and Italy—have recently updated their anti-discrimination rules or legislation to take account of the race directive. We do not currently have any information about the exact nature of the changes made in those three states, nor are we able to speculate about the position in the other member states.

Racial Discrimination: EC Legislation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Commission for Racial Equality has made representations about the exclusion of discrimination based on colour from the regulations implementing the race directive; and
	Whether the Commission for Racial Equality has made representations about the exclusion of discrimination based on colour from the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC).

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Commission for Racial Equality submitted responses to the Government's public consultations on the implementation of the EC Article 13 Race and Employment Directives Towards Equality and Diversity (December 2001) and Equality and Diversity: The way ahead (October 2002). These responses include representations for inclusion of "colour" as one of the protected grounds in the race regulations.

UK–US Extradition

Lord Scott of Foscote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, pursuant to Articles 24(5) and 38 of the Treaty on European Union, there are any constitutional procedures required to be followed in the United Kingdom in order for the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements between the European Union and the United States to become binding in the United Kingdom; and, if so, what those constitutional procedures entail.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No ratification procedure is required for the agreements. The provisions in the Extradition Agreement are either contained or reflected within the Extradition Bill that is currently before Parliament, or within the UK–US bilateral extradition treaty, signed on 31 March 2003; or else they require administrative changes that will simplify and speed up the procedures before transmitting extradition documentation.
	The provisions of most articles of the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement are either already in place or reflect those in the Crime (International Co-operation) Bill that is also now before Parliament; or else can be provided for using secondary legislation under that Bill and earlier Acts of Parliament.

UK–US Extradition

Lord Scott of Foscote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With regard to the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements between the European Union and the United States, what steps they are taking to ensure that the assurances given orally to Sub-Committee E of the European Union Committee by Bob Ainsworth MP on 4 June, recorded in a letter to the Minister dated 12 June, and concerning compliance with the European Court of Human Rights, non-imposition of the death penalty; no substitution of a capital charge; trial before an ordinary federal or state court, and not before a military tribunal; and no mutual assistance except where an investigation is in progress and the requesting authority has criminal competence, are made known to those facing extradition pursuant to the Extradition Agreement or otherwise likely to be affected by either of the Extradition or Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The assurances given by my honourable friend, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Bob Ainsworth, on 4 June 2003, as recorded in the letter to him from the noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, of 12 June, are a matter of public record.
	The Extradition Bill, currently before Parliament, is consistent with the assurances by guaranteeing that there will be no extradition where there is a possibilty of the death penalty being carried out, and no extradition where it would breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

Prisoners: Heroin Users

Lord Chadlington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of those currently in prison were opiate users before conviction.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Results from the Criminality Survey, a large survey of newly arrived male prisoners carried out in 2000, show that 31 per cent had used heroin in the year prior to being sent to prison.

Heroin Prescribing Guidance

Lord Chadlington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding is being provided for the proposed new pilot supervised injecting clinics; and whether they intend to commission any ongoing independent evaluation of these clinics.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government announced the launch of heroin prescribing guidance on 13 June 2003. The guidance was developed to complement and expand on existing Department of Health guidelines, Drug misuse and dependence: guidelines on clinical management.
	The guidance is based on a fresh examination of the latest national and international evidence and best practice and represents a consensus of expert opinion on injectable prescribing. Discussions are taking place between the Home Office, the Department of Health and National Treatment Agency on pilot projects to test aspects of the guidance.
	Funding for these is under discussion.

Offenders aged 18 to 20: Reducing Recidivism

Lord Chadlington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of the 76 per cent reconviction rate, what steps are they taking to reduce the number of offenders aged between 18 and 20.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government has identified the need to address the particular issues of offending by this age group and to use the experience of the youth justice reforms to inform its approach. In doing so, we will take account of the recommendations of the Social Exclusion Unit Report, Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners.
	Compared with older prisoners, offenders aged 18 to 20 have fewer basic skills, higher unemployment rates and are more likely to have been excluded from school. The most immediate priority, therefore, for reducing their re-offending is to improve their access to programmes and support.
	We have agreed that the new funding provided for prison education should have a particular focus on 18 to 20 year-olds. Priority has therefore been given to expanding provision in establishments holding female prisoners and young offenders aged 18 to 20. We have also agreed that the strategy for this age group should be underpinned by the principle of testing new approaches to sentence delivery through 18 to 20 year-olds in the first instance. For example, the National Probation Directorate has already commenced piloting the Intensive Control and Change Programme (ICCP) which will be delivered through a community punishment and rehabilitation order (CPRO) and involves a number of key partner agencies, such as the Police and Connexions. One of the aims of the ICCP is to reduce reconviction rates by 10 per cent compared with a similar group receiving short custodial sentences.
	The Government have also funded the extension of the High Intensity Training Programme (HIT), previously piloted at HM Young Offenders Institution Thorn Cross, and planned to start at HMYOI Deerbolt later this year. The regime included offending behaviour, education, mentoring and throughcare components.

Coroners

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any procedure is in place to ensure that each coroner works with the local community which he is appointed to serve; and
	What is the projected timetable to bring together the reports of the Fundamental Review of Death Certification and Coroner Services with the third report from the Shipman inquiry covering similar issues; and
	What plans they have to implement changes following the Coroners' Officers Working Party Report; and
	Whether consideration has been given to housing coroners' officers in their local hospital, rather than the police station, to enable close working relationships in line with the recommendations in the report, Families and Post Mortems—A code of practice.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Coroners are appointed locally to serve a specific district in accordance with the provisions of coroner legislation. The location of coroners' officers within a coroner's district is a matter to be decided locally depending on need and practicality. I understand that in a number of coroners' districts, officers are already located at hospitals.
	When the report on the provision of Coroners' Officers was published in August 2002, we made it clear that it would not be appropriate to seek to implement any changes to the existing arrangements for the provision of officers in advance of the outcome of the wider ranging reviews then in hand.
	The Report of the Fundamental Review 2003—Death Certification and Investigation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was published on 4 June. My honourable friend Paul Goggins announced that in order to assist the Government to develop a coherent long-term strategy for the future of our death investigation processes, the Home Secretary had asked the chair of the Review, Mr Tom Luce, to undertake some further work to link the review's recommendations to the relevant findings of the Shipman inquiry. I expect this work to be completed in the autumn and for decisions to be taken on our programme of reform as soon as possible thereafter. We are also keen to ensure that we improve how the needs of the bereaved are met in the mean time.

Forensic Science Service: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the Forensic Science Service (FSS) Annual Accounts for 2002–03.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I have today laid before this House copies of the Forensic Science Service's Annual Report and Accounts for 2002–03. Performance against Agency targets 2002–03
	The FSS met seven of its nine targets and put in a strong financial performance. Financial targets
	A 23.4 per cent return on capital employed was produced against a minimum target of 10 per cent.
	A three-year rolling efficiency gain of 13.8 per cent was achieved against a target of 10 per cent. Service Delivery
	A 74-day turn round time in 90 per cent standard jobs (violent and volume crime cases) was achieved against a target of 70 days.
	Dispatch dates in 94 per cent of urgent, 93 per cent critical cases and 96 per cent in persistent young offenders cases were met against targets of 98 per cent, 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively.
	Dispatch dates in 93 per cent of all categories of cases were met against a target of 93 per cent.
	An 11 per cent increase on baseline in a transactional index of customer perception was achieved against a target of five per cent.
	Service level agreements were put in place with 98 per cent of police forces against a target of 92 per cent.
	Application for 100 per cent of reporting officers for accreditation to the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners, where appropriate, was achieved against a target of 100 per cent.
	External quality accreditation to ISO standards was maintained.
	The main targets for 2003–04, the agency's fifth year of trading fund, area as follows. The targets are set out in full in Annex A. Finance:
	Target: a minimum of 15 per cent return on capital employed (three-year rolling average).
	Target: a real reduction in charges by limiting price increases to 75 per cent of the average earnings index.
	Target: an increase in investment in development to 12 per cent of turnover.
	Target: generate £1 million external funding for research and development. Non-Finance:
	Target: 14-day average to inform customers of DNA crime scene stain result.
	Target: six-day average to inform customers of DNA suspect sample result.
	Target: turnaround time for 95 per cent of jobs to be 42 days by year end.
	Target: maintain ISO accreditation.
	Target: maintain Investors in People accreditation.
	Target: introduce new diversity programme. Annex A
	The Forensic Science Service Agency targets for 2003–04. Finance:
	Target: a minimum of 15 per cent return on capital employed (three-year rolling average).
	Target: a real reduction in charges by limiting price increases to 75 per cent of the average earnings index.
	Target: an increase in investment in development to 12 per cent of turnover.
	Target: generate £1 million external funding for research and development. Non-Finance:
	Target: establish an internal FSS end to end case ownership process.
	Target: to have processes in place with 25 per cent of police forces within six months and 60 per cent by year end that agree new definitions of timeliness based on investigative and evidential contributions of forensic science.
	Target: set up a pilot with customer to get agreement to devise a new process of end-to-end case ownership.
	Target: sign up 60 per cent of customers (Police and CPS) at force level to service agreements (timeliness and charging) in context of national protocol.
	Target: to have a process in place for 25 per cent in six months and 60 per cent by year end of cases to have a dedicated FSS case officer.
	Target: develop training packages to support new ways of working by the year end.
	Target: to engage training organisations to roll out training for Police and CPS.
	Target: to design and develop a link between the National DNA Database and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
	Target: develop capability and capacity to deliver fast track processing of DNA samples within 48 hours.
	Target: average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA crime scene stain results (normal track) of 14 days.
	Target: 95 per cent of DNA crime scene stain results to have a turnround time of 20 days.
	Target: average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA suspect sample results on the National DNA Database (normal track cases) of six days.
	Target: 95 per cent of DNA suspect sample results to have a turnround time of 10 days.
	Target: increase forensic effectiveness by developing an index and benchmark with Police Standards Unit (PSU).
	Target: turnround time for 95 per cent of jobs to be 42 days by year end.
	Target: maintain ISO accreditation.
	Target: maintain Investors in People accreditation.
	Target: establish and implement a diversity programme.

Iraqi Military Casualties

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they are making, together with the United States, to establish the numbers and, where possible, the identities of Iraq's military personnel who fell in the most recent war so that they can be properly commemorated; and what arrangements they are similarly making, for welfare reasons, to establish the numbers and identities of the wounded; and how soon they expect this work to be completed.

Lord Bach: We have no viable means of ascertaining the numbers or identities of Iraqi military personnel who were killed or injured during the coalition's military action.
	The Deployed Operating Instructions issued to all United Kingdom military units state that enemy dead are to be treated the same as UK military dead. This includes a direction that, where next of kin cannot be traced, the bodies are to be given the same funeral as would UK military personnel, subject to religious practices. Wounded enemy personnel are given care and medical attention that accord fully with our obligations under the Geneva Convention.

Iraq: Civilian Casualties

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the most recent war in Iraq, what arrangements they are making, together with the United States, to establish how many civilians were killed; how many civilians were wounded as the result of the employment of cluster bombs; how many civilians have been killed and how many civilians have been wounded by the detonation of unexploded cluster bombs; and how many unexploded cluster bombs and bomblets have so far been rendered safe since the end of the war.

Lord Bach: We have no viable means of ascertaining the numbers of civilians who were killed or injured by cluster bombs during or since the coalition's military action.
	United Kingdom and other coalition explosive ordnance disposal teams in the UK's area of responsibility have completed over 1,000 tasks and destroyed over 100,000 individual munitions. We do not record types of munitions destroyed.
	A full survey of sites contaminated with unexploded munitions is now under way. The survey is being conducted in concert with other coalition forces, non-governmental organisations and demining companies. On average the survey is identifying 30 new EOD tasks each week.

Iraq: UK Personnel Costs of WMD Searches

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost of United Kingdom personnel who are continuing the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and how this compares with the cost of personnel engaged in reconstruction.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. The costs that the department would have incurred regardless of the operation taking place such as wages and salaries are not included. Savings on activities that have not occurred because of the operation—training exercises for example—are deducted from the total costs of the operation.
	Neither the net additional costs incurred by United Kingdom personnel engaged in the search for WMD in Iraq, nor the net additional costs of those engaged in reconstruction can be differentiated from the total net additional cost of UK personnel deployed to the Gulf region. For example, stock accounting records will identify the recipient of stock as entitled UK military personnel, not whether they are engaged in reconstruction work or in the search for WMD. It is therefore not possible to identify costs related solely to the WMD search team.

Army Training and Recruiting Agency

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money has been allocated for Army recruits and their training in the financial year 2003–04; and how many people can be recruited.

Lord Bach: For the financial year 2003–04, the Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) has been allocated a resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL)—or budget—of £1,039 million, and a capital DEL of £23 million. This sum covers the recruiting of soldiers and officers (including advertising and marketing activities) and the cost of initial, specialist and career and professional development training. ATRA's target for recruitment in this year is 15,545 soldiers and 690 officers, although it is anticipated that not all of these will complete the selection and training process.

Armed Services Ammunition: Propellant

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guarantees RO Defence Ltd have given to provide sufficient propellant whenever necessary, especially in time of operations; which firms currently make ammunition for the armed services; and whether propellant should be in this country prior to its use in the manufacture of ammunition.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence has a 10-year framework partnering agreement with Royal Ordnance plc (ROD), a British-based subsidiary of BAE Systems, for the supply of ammunition which includes propellant. There are robust agreements with subcontractors to ensure that MoD's future requirements are met and security of supply is taken into account when competing all requirements for ammunition including propellant.
	The United Kingdom planning process ensures that we maintain sufficient stocks of ammunition to meet current operational planning assumptions; this includes maintaining a qualified source of propellant to meet forecast ammunition requirements.
	The following firms currently supply ammunition to the Armed Forces as prime contractors: Bofors Defence Ltd Denel Dynamit Nobel Edgar Brothers Eley Ltd Eurometal FN Herstal General Dynamics Hull Cartridge Co Ltd Leafield Engineering Ltd MilKor (PTY) Ltd Nammo NICO Pyrotechnik Primetake Ltd Pyrotechnik Silberhutte GmbH Royal Ordnance plc Ruag Ammotech GmbH
	Whether propellant, as a component of ammunition, should be in this country prior to its use in the manufacture of ammunition, is judged to be a matter for the supplier.

Service Personnel: Medical Care

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures or proposals are in place to accelerate medical consultations and operations for Her Majesty's Armed Forces personnel.

Lord Bach: Service personnel are entitled to the full use of NHS hospitals on the same basis as other United Kingdom citizens if appropriate military provision is not available. They will therefore benefit from the sustained investment through the NHS Plan which will reduce waiting times. Provision for accelerated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation to return service personnel back to fitness faster than would otherwise be the case is available through service level agreements (SLAs) with NHS trusts that host the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) in Birmingham and Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs). These SLAs also include provision for fast-track out-patient appointments if service personnel are needed for immediate operational deployment. In addition, in 2003–04, up to £8 million for accelerated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation is available for use in the NHS or, as appropriate, with private healthcare providers. A pilot scheme for fast-tracking orthopaedic cases is currently being run at MDHU Northallerton. Finally, the joint MoD/Department of Health reception arrangements for military patients (RAMP) ensure that in times of conflict casualties are returned to the UK and receive the care that they need in NHS hospitals.

Iraq War: Costs

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the estimated costs of the Iraq war.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. The costs, which the department would have incurred had the operation not been undertaken—expenditure on wages and salaries or on conducting training exercises for example—are deducted from the total costs of the operation.
	Calculating all the costs of military action will take some time to determine since it will include the cost of ammunition, bombs and guided weapons consumed in excess of peacetime levels and equipment destroyed and damaged. Excluding those costs, the latest estimate is that the net additional cost of operations in Iraq for 2002–03 is around £700 million. This is less than the £1 billion set aside at Spring Supplementary Estimates 2002–03.
	Items in the £700 million estimate include costs for the procurement of equipment or modifications under the heading of urgent operational requirements, increased maintenance and stock consumption, civil sea and air charter and provision of infrastructure in the theatre of operations. It is most likely that a comprehensive and robust figure for 2002–03 will be available only when the National Audit Office has approved the departmental resource accounts.
	It is too early to estimate the costs likely to arise in 2003–04. Once these are known, additional funding will be sought in the normal way through Supplementary Estimates.

Iraq: Cluster Bombs

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many unexploded cluster bombs there are in Iraq.

Lord Bach: We have no means of knowing the number of unexploded cluster bombs there are in Iraq.

Iraq: Cluster Bombs

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people have been killed and injured by cluster bombs in Iraq since the end of the war.

Lord Bach: We have no means of knowing the number of people who have been killed or injured by cluster bombs since the end of the war.

Iraq: Cluster Bombs

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps are being taken to clear unexploded cluster bombs in Iraq.

Lord Bach: United Kingdom and other coalition Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams in the UK's area of responsibility have completed over 1,000 tasks and destroyed over 100,000 individual munitions. We do not record types of munitions destroyed.
	A full survey of sites where unexploded munitions exist is now under-way. The survey is being conducted in concert with other coalition forces, non-governmental organisations and demining companies.

Iraq: WMD Investigations

Lord Redesdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the two vehicles found in Iraq and suspected of being involved in the production of weapons of mass destruction, what were (a) the components of British manufacture and (b) the companies that produced them.

Lord Bach: The investigations into these two vehicles are continuing and we will take as long as necessary to conduct a thorough examination. As the Prime Minister has said in the past, we are going to assemble evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and present it properly to people at the appropriate time. I am withholding details of components and companies under Exemption 1c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to information received in confidence from foreign governments.

Iraq: WMD Investigations

Lord Redesdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the two vehicles found in Iraq and suspected of being involved in the production of weapons of mass destruction, how long the investigation into these vehicles will take; and whether they will publish the report of the investigation.

Lord Bach: The investigations into these two vehicles are continuing and we will take as long as necessary to conduct a thorough examination. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has said in the past, we are going to assemble evidence of Iraq's WMD and present it properly to people at the appropriate time.

Iraq: People Captured by British Forces

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 July (WA125), what were the nationalities of:
	(a) the single prisoner of war; and (b) the 71 other persons captured by British forces; and how many of the 71 other persons were on 15 July interned for imperative reasons of security.

Lord Bach: On 15 July, the single prisoner of war and the 71 other persons captured by British forces were all Iraqi. All the 71 persons were being interned for imperative reasons of security.

Iraq: People Captured by British Forces

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 July (WA125), for how much longer they expect to keep without trial the 71 persons captured by British forces interned for imperative reasons of security; and how and by whom they expect the prisoners to be tried if they are not released.

Lord Bach: Of the 71 persons held for imperative reasons of security on 15 July, 49 have already been released. The remainder will be held until it is assessed that their internment is no longer necessary for reasons of security, all cases are subject to regular review. In cases where there is evidence to suggest that a criminal offence has been committed, persons captured by United Kingdom forces are handed to the Iraqi judicial system. If internment is based on intelligence material that justifies internment, the case will not be suitable for trial, although cases will be subject to regular review.

Gulf War Veterans: Case of Shaun Rusling

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the costs to the taxpayer of taking the Gulf War veteran case of Shaun Rusling to the High Court; and if the costs are still not fully ascertainable, what is their present estimate of the total costs involved.

Lord Bach: Legal costs in respect of the High Court appeal in the case of Mr Shaun Rusling have yet to be finalised. Costs settled up to 22 July 2003 totalled £44,206.77, but an estimate of the total amount involved is not possible as the Treasury Solicitor is still in discussion with the defendant's lawyers regarding their costs.

Iraq: Withdrawal of British Military Forces

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give an undertaking that British troops will stay in Iraq until a broadly based permanent Iraq Government are established and can manage their own security.

Lord Bach: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, on 2 July 2003, (Official Report WA 106).

Afghanistan: Provincial Reconstruction Team

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which British troops will be sent to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afganistan; and how many troops will be involved.

Lord Bach: The final structure of the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team currently deploying to Mazar-e Sharif is not yet fixed. On current plans, we expect the total number of British military personnel eventually deployed to be about 50 strong. They are drawn predominantly from the Second Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall: Rights of Way

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been made of the risk to non-motorised users from using the C602/A1065 and C603 roads as the respective alternatives to those public rights of way which have been suspended on safety grounds at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall; and
	What assessment of the likely danger to the safety of lawful users of footpath 6 Eriswell, adjacent to RAF Lakenheath, was made prior to the imposition of Traffic Regulation Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

Lord Bach: The temporary closures of the footpaths/public rights of way at RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath were affected by Suffolk County Council, on the advice of the Ministry of Defence, which took all relevant factors into consideration, in particular the safety of members of the public using the original rights of way, as required by the Road Traffic Act 1984. There is, however, no statutory requirement to take into account any risk in using alternative routes when considering the temporary closure of a right of way.

RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall: Rights of Way

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost of complying with Section XVII of the Defence Act 1842 when the footpath at RAF Lakenheath was closed in 1999.

Lord Bach: The cost of complying with section XVII of the Defence Act 1842 when the footpath at RAF Lakenheath was closed and diverted in 1999 was approximately £30,000.

RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall: Rights of Way

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations have been received since 1997 from the United States Air Force or Department of Defense regarding the use of the Defence Act 1842 to close footpath 6 Eriswell, adjacent to RAF Lakenheath; and
	Whether there is any current intention to use the powers contained in the Defence Act 1842 with regard to footpaths and bridleways; and
	Whether in any cases where the intention is to use the powers contained in the Defence Act 1842, it is also intended that the obligation under Section XVII of that Act to create a new footpath or bridleway as a reasonably convenient replacement and alternative to the closed routes will be complied with.

Lord Bach: The United States Visiting Force has raised security concerns surrounding the use of Eriswell footpath number six, adjacent to RAF Lakenheath. It is possible that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence will exercise his powers under section 16 of the Defence Act 1842 to permanently close the footpath, but in such circumstances a new footpath would be created. There are no other cases at present where the use of Section 16 of the Defence Act 1842 is being considered to effect closure of footpath or bridleway.

Iraq

Lord Desai: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the situation in Iraq is developing

Lord Bach: Real progress has been made in Iraq over the past few months. Coalition forces continue to support Iraqi leaders both nationally and at the local level. Political progress has been made, with the increasing effectiveness of the Iraqi Governing Council and the recent appointment of Iraqi departmental Ministers. We now seek to accelerate progress in other areas, including enhanced security across the country, and the reliable provision of basic utilities.
	In the light of the evolving security situation in Iraq, and the increasing military tasks arising out of the reconstruction efforts in the south of the country, the UK divisional commander in theatre has been conducting a formal review of UK forces and resources in Iraq. While the full scale of the requirement, which will be largely driven by initiatives of the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Department for International Development (DfID) to accelerate reconstruction activities in Iraq, has yet to be fully developed, there is an immediate requirement for two battalions and some additional specialist personnel, vehicles and equipment to allow him to fulfil the expanding range of tasks for UK forces in Multinational Division (South East) (MND(SE)).
	Accordingly, we are deploying to Iraq the balance of 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, a company of which is already in theatre. This battalion will be involved in supporting current operations and in offering additional protection to the Coalition Provisional Authority. They are currently based in Cyprus and were already identified as an "over the horizon reserve" for Iraq. Their role in Cyprus will be filled by two batteries from 16 Regiment Royal Artillery.
	In addition, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (1 RGJ) will deploy to Iraq immediately supported by some specialist personnel and equipment. This deployment will enable MND(SE) to increase force protection, accelerate training of the Iraqi civil defence corps and improve our information-gathering capability in MND(SE). 1 RGJ are currently designated the spearhead land element, are already at high readiness, and are therefore the most appropriate unit to call upon. They will be replaced as spearhead land element by 42 Commando Royal Marines.
	We plan to maintain the deployment of these units until around November, providing an interim additional capability to our commanders in theatre. Additional units would deploy to replace them in theatre if the requirement remained. We plan for some of the roles progressively to be conducted by Iraqi personnel.
	In addition to the requirements that we have already fully identified, we anticipate additional tasks in the near future which will require military resources, in particular the provision of military support to critical infrastructure work planned by CPA(S) and DfID. This work will deliver a more stable power supply; improve fuel availability and significantly improve the delivery of water services to all sectors of the population in the MND(SE) area. The military capabilities needed will be identified as the detail of the plan's implementation takes shape. We will immediately take steps to identify and reduce notice to move for some additional headquarters and units, to allow further deployments as rapidly as possible in response to this accelerating programme of work.
	These measures will give extra capabilities to our commanders in theatre, allowing them to increase their proactive efforts to improve wider security across the region, and allowing them to support the essential reconstruction and regeneration efforts in their area of operations. The commitment of the United Kingdom and its Armed Forces to Iraq remains undeterred by recent events. We are determined to help the Iraqi people to forge a new, peaceful and secure future for themselves and we will meet this commitment with appropriate forces in Iraq for as long as required, and no longer.

Regional Assemblies

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the estimated costs of establishing three regional assemblies in England.

Lord Rooker: The costs of establishing elected assemblies will vary from region to region, mainly because of the different sizes of their electorates. But we expect these to be around £30 million for each region. This estimate includes all costs necessary to establish an assembly, including the cost of local government reviews, referendums and the first elections.

Rough Sleepers: Westminster Cathedral Piazza

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect that overnight rough sleeping in the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral will cease.

Lord Rooker: The Government do not set targets to reduce rough sleeping in specific areas such as the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral. Westminster City Council has the responsibility for addressing rough sleeping in the local authority and the wider daytime street activity issues that the piazza experiences, such as street drinking.
	The Government's Homelessness Directorate funds voluntary and statutory agencies to help, on a daily basis, those sleeping rough on the piazza.
	Across the authority there has been nearly a 45 per cent reduction in numbers of people sleeping rough from 1998 levels. The last full street count in March this year found 133 people sleeping out, across Westminster. More recent, informal evening surveys have found that this figure has reduced still further.

South Somerset District Council Local Plan

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they intend to take in the light of the conclusions of the inspector, Mr D Fenton, in his report on the South Somerset District Council local plan, published in June 2003, that "regrettably I find nothing in the plan as it is, in policy or phasing terms, which seeks to prioritise brownfield sites" (page 159, paragraph 3.5).

Lord Rooker: South Somerset District Council is now required to consider the inspector's report and decide what action to take on each of the recommendations. Although authorities will wish to accept the inspector's recommendations in most cases, it is not obliged to do so. If the council proposes modifications they will be published and interested parties will have six weeks to make objections or representations.
	I cannot comment further on the inspector's report since it is for the council to decide how to respond. The First Secretary of State is also able to register objections to any proposed modifications.

Child Abuse

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the replies by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland (HL Deb, 1 July, col. 876), under what circumstances something that has been proved to be false can be considered also to be accurate.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: . Well-kept records provide an essential underpinning to good child protection practice. Practice experience has shown that families can be more effectively safeguarded when records into past inquiries into one-off (or patterns of) unfounded, false or malicious allegations of child abuse are retained. Should a fresh referral be made at some point in the future, it would be untenable for an agency with child protection responsibilities to deny that there had been any previous history. Agencies that work for the protection of children must be able to record their decisions without fear that these records may be destroyed whenever concerns about a child are ultimately unfounded.

A-Level Statistics

Lord Quirk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With respect to each of the following in England and Wales:
	(a) comprehensive schools;
	(b) secondary modern schools;
	(c) grammar schools;
	(d) independent schools;
	(e) sixth-form colleges; and
	(f) further education colleges
	what is the percentage (and what is the total number) of students gaining three A grades at A level.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The number and percentage of 16 to 18 year-old A-level candidates achieving (a) three and (b) four or more A grades at GCE/VCE A level in 2001–02 in England:
	
		
			  Grade As at A level  
			  Number of candidates achieving Percentage of candidates achieving   
			 Type of institution 3 4 or more 3 or more 3 4 or more 3 or more A level candidates 
			 Comprehensive 3,964 1,834 5,798 3.7% 1.7% 5.4% 107,206 
			 Grammar 1,966 1,428 3,394 10.8% 7.8% 18.6% 18,265 
			 Modern 17 6 23 0.6% 0.2% 0.8% 2,916 
			 Independent 4,732 2,924 7,656 14.4% 8.9% 23.3% 32,873 
			 Sixth Form Colleges 1,748 950 2,698 3.9% 2.1% 6.1% 44,473 
			 Other FE Sector 615 255 870 1.2% 0.5% 1.7% 52,493 
			 Total 13,042 7,397 20,439 5.1% 2.9% 7.9% 258,226 
		
	
	The equivalent figures for Wales are a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

History Teaching

Lord Luke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have plans for a review of the teaching of history in schools; and, if so, with what purpose.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: History is a statutory subject for all pupils aged five to 14. The latest Ofsted evidence on the teaching of history states that pupils' achievements in primary school have improved steadily, and in secondary schools there has been a particular improvement at key stage 3 over the last reported year. The Government have no plans, therefore, to review the content of the national curriculum for history, although we will be asking QCA to produce guidance, including possible additional units for DfES/QCA schemes of work, for primary and secondary history teachers to further improve children's understanding of key aspects, individuals and events in British history and their ability to more firmly relate these to a broad chronological framework. We are concerned, however, at reports that pupils are duplicating the study of particular periods of history at GCSE and beyond thus producing a narrowing of the curriculum. We will ask QCA for advice on whether the GCSE criteria for history should be reviewed, as part of an overall review of the coherence of 14 to 19 history provisions. QCA's new GCSE history hybrid pilot project is already exploring ways of broadening the history curriculum 14 to 16.

Science Teaching: Fieldwork

Baroness Blatch: asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills:
	What recent representations they have received from the Field Studies Council about the inclusion of fieldwork in the GSCE and A-level curricula; and what response they have made to any such representations; and
	What provision is made for fieldwork within the curricula for (a) science GCSE and (b) biology A level; and whether in each case that provision is optional or compulsory; and
	Whether the proposed National and Regional Centres for Excellence in Science Teaching will be required to provide in service training opportunities to enable practising teachers to develop their skills in out of classroom teaching in biology and other science disciplines.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: At each key stage, pupils are taught about life processes and living things, and to use first-hand experience and varying information sources to assist with scientific investigation. The science curriculum emphasises the need to learn about living things in their environment. At both GCSE and A-level, the use of fieldwork in the delivery of the curriculum is encouraged but not compulsory as it is for each school or college to decide how best to teach its students.
	A number of letters have been received by Ministers in the department from the members of the executive committee of the Field Studies Council in recent months, particularly following the publication of its joint report with the British Ecological Society Teaching Biology outside the classroom. Is it heading for extinction? The responses point out that at both GCSE and A-level, the use of fieldwork in the delivery of the curriculum is encouraged but not compulsory as it is for each school or college to decide how best to teach its students.
	Our major initiative "Growing Schools" is a project to develop and disseminate best practice in the use of the outdoor classroom in a number of curriculum subjects, and in particular biology and geography. I am pleased to say that Tony Thomas, Chief Executive of the Field Studies Council, has therefore kindly agreed to sit on the Advisory Group for "Growing Schools".
	Our £51 million partnership with the Wellcome Trust to establish a network of science learning centres will provide continuing professional development for primary science coordinators and secondary science teachers and technicians. We anticipate that, over time, the centres will help teachers to develop their skills in out of classroom teaching.

Examination Standards

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What benchmarks and systems the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses to ensure that the standards of public examinations in England are maintained from year to year.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It is for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, as regulator, to decide what benchmarks and systems are appropriate to fulfil its statutory remit to keep under review all aspects of national qualifications, including the monitoring of standards and of systems of delivery and assessment against the regulatory accreditation criteria.
	The framework for this work is defined in the Arrangements for the Statutory Regulation of External Qualifications, which is supported by a statutory code of practice. The code stipulates procedures for ensuring consistency in the examination process across all awarding bodies, between syllabuses and from year to year.
	Information on the purposes of the monitoring activities, as well as reports, are published by the authority.

Universities

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To which statutory and other organisations United Kingdom universities are accountable; and to which they must apply for specific higher education funding or grants; and
	What are the staffing levels and annual cost of each statutory and other organisation to which United Kingdom universities are accountable or have to apply for funding.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: UK universities are autonomous institutions accountable as employers, corporate bodies and as providers of teaching and research to many different stakeholders, depending on the nature of their activities. Higher education institutions are under no obligation to apply for public funding to support the provision of teaching and research. Should they choose to do so, the bulk of funding, and so accountabilities, is delivered through the funding councils and the research councils with the Arts and Humanities Research Board. Annual costs and staffing levels for these bodies for 2003–04 are listed in the table below. (In Northern Ireland, the Department for Education and Learning is the main funding body for universities and other HE providers. It is not possible to provide relevant details of the staffing levels and annual budget concerned.)
	
		
			 Name of Body Staffing (FTE) Cost (£ million) 
			 Higher Education Funding Council for England 244 15.3 
			 Teacher Training Agency (England only) 200 12.4 
			 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales 41 2.1 
			 Scottish Higher Education Funding Council 63.5 3.5 
			 Research Councils (UK) 1,068 60 
			 AHRB (UK) 70 3.6

Universities

Lord Baker of Dorking: asked Her Majesty's Government: What estimates they have made of the revenue that would accrue to each of the English and Welsh universities in 2006 if fees of £3,000 per student were charged; and what revenue would accrue if each university charged the full amount to:
	(a) the number of students fully enrolled in the current academic year;
	(b) the number of students fully enrolled increased by 5 per cent; and
	(c) the number of students fully enrolled increased by 10 per cent.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: We have no estimate of the revenue that would accrue to each of the English and Welsh universities in 2006 if fees of £3,000 per student were charged: that will depend on the number of students that each institution recruits; while we publish national level projections of student numbers, we do not break these down on an institution by institution basis. Moreover, the Welsh Assembly has decided not to introduce variable fees in 2006. The table below sets out the total revenue that would accrue from tuition fees of £3,000 for each English HE institution, obtained from full-time undergraduate student numbers for 2001–02, the latest year for which data is available, and uprated by 5 per cent and 10 per cent as requested.
	
		
			  Income from £3,000 fee (£million)
			 English Institution 2001–02 Student Numbers 2001–02 Student Numbers + 5% 2001–02 Student Numbers + 10% 
			 Cranfield University 1.70 1.79 1.87 
			 Bishop Grosseteste College 2.42 2.54 2.66 
			 Buckinghamshire College of HE 16.37 17.19 18.00 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 1.20 1.26 1.32 
			 Chester College of HE 12.99 13.64 14.29 
			 Canterbury Christ Church College 14.83 15.57 16.32 
			 York St John College 9.49 9.96 10.43 
			 College of St Mark and St John 5.93 6.23 6.53 
			 Darlington College of Arts 1.22 1.29 1.35 
			 Edge Hill College of HE 14.27 14.99 15.70 
			 Falmouth College of Arts 3.65 3.83 4.02 
			 Harper Adams Agricultural College 4.32 4.53 4.75 
			 Homerton College 1.58 1.66 1.74 
			 Kent Institute of Art and Design 4.58 4.80 5.03 
			 King Alfred's College, Winchester 9.04 9.49 9.94 
			 Liverpool Hope 10.86 11.41 11.95 
			 The London Institute 20.70 21.74 22.77 
			 University of Luton 14.28 15.00 15.71 
			 Nene College 19.86 20.87 21.86 
			 Newman College 3.12 3.28 3.43 
			 Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication 2.13 2.24 2.34 
			 Roehampton Institute of HE 14.63 15.36 16.09 
			 Rose Bruford College 1.50 1.58 1.65 
			 Royal Academy of Music 0.75 0.79 0.83 
			 Royal College of Music 0.91 0.96 1.00 
			 Royal Northern College of Music 1.16 1.22 1.27 
			 Southampton Institute 23.06 24.21 25.36 
			 St Martin's College 11.67 12.25 12.83 
			 St Mary's College 6.15 6.46 6.77 
			 Trinity and All Saints College 6.11 6.42 6.73 
			 Trinity College of Music 0.94 0.98 1.03 
			 Surrey Institute of Art and Design 7.50 7.88 8.25 
			 Worcester College of HE 9.52 9.99 10.47 
			 Anglia Polytechnic University 26.49 27.81 29.14 
			 Bath College of HE 8.36 8.78 9.19 
			 Bolton Institute of HE 8.39 8.81 9.23 
			 Bournemouth University 25.76 27.04 28.33 
			 The University of Brighton 26.67 28.01 29.34 
			 The University of Central England in Birmingham 31.01 32.56 34.11 
			 The University of Central Lancashire 37.96 39.86 41.76 
			 University of Gloucestershire 16.53 17.36 18.19 
			 London Guildhall University 21.60 22.68 23.76 
			 Coventry University 30.40 31.92 33.44 
			 University of Derby 23.45 24.62 25.80 
			 The University of East London 20.29 21.31 22.32 
			 The University of Greenwich 26.46 27.79 29.11 
			 University of Hertfordshire 34.38 36.10 37.82 
			 The University of Huddersfield 27.96 29.36 30.76 
			 The University of Lincoln 20.45 21.47 22.50 
			 Kingston University 31.60 33.18 34.76 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 37.59 39.47 41.35 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 37.53 39.41 41.29 
			 The Manchester Metropolitan University 54.98 57.72 60.47 
			 Middlesex University 35.76 37.55 39.34 
			 De Montfort University 43.02 45.17 47.32 
			 The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 37.78 39.67 41.56 
			 The University of North London 21.64 22.72 23.81 
			 The Nottingham Trent University 41.07 43.12 45.17 
			 Oxford Brookes University 23.07 24.22 25.37 
			 The University of Plymouth 42.65 44.79 46.92 
			 The University of Portsmouth 30.85 32.39 33.94 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 45.99 48.29 50.59 
			 South Bank University 22.24 23.35 24.46 
			 Staffordshire University 30.38 31.90 33.42 
			 The University of Sunderland 20.80 21.84 22.88 
			 The University of Teesside 21.05 22.11 23.16 
			 Thames Valley University 18.92 19.87 20.82 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 46.10 48.41 50.71 
			 Chichester Institute of Higher Education 7.15 7.51 7.87 
			 The University of Westminster 27.10 28.46 29.81 
			 Wimbledon School of Art 1.31 1.37 1.44 
			 The University of Wolverhampton 34.36 36.08 37.79 
			 Aston University 14.48 15.21 15.93 
			 The University of Bath 18.53 19.45 20.38 
			 The University of Birmingham 40.81 42.85 44.89 
			 The University of Bradford 17.19 18.05 18.91 
			 The University of Bristol 28.07 29.47 30.87 
			 Brunel University 27.16 28.52 29.87 
			 The University of Cambridge 32.51 34.13 35.76 
			 City University 14.07 14.77 15.48 
			 University of Durham 27.62 29.00 30.38 
			 The University of East Anglia 18.86 19.81 20.75 
			 The University of Essex 13.24 13.90 14.56 
			 The University of Exeter 20.80 21.84 22.88 
			 The University of Hull 25.06 26.32 27.57 
			 The University of Keele 13.44 14.11 14.78 
			 The University of Kent at Canterbury 19.64 20.63 21.61 
			 The University of Lancaster 20.15 21.16 22.16 
			 The University of Leeds 55.58 58.36 61.14 
			 The University of Leicester 19.80 20.79 21.78 
			 The University of Liverpool 32.85 34.49 36.13 
			 Birbeck College 0.02 0.02 0.02 
			 Goldsmiths College 10.11 10.62 11.12 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine 18.10 19.00 19.91 
			 Institute of Education, University of London 0.01 0.01 0.01 
			 King's College London 30.42 31.94 33.47 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 6.01 6.31 6.61 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 18.94 19.89 20.84 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 10.69 11.23 11.76 
			 The Royal Veterinary College 1.78 1.86 1.95 
			 St George's Hospital Medical School 4.05 4.26 4.46 
			 The School of Oriental and African Studies 4.22 4.43 4.64 
			 The School of Pharmacy, University of London 1.47 1.54 1.61 
			 University College London 29.41 30.88 32.35 
			 University of London (Central Institutes and activities) 0.56 0.59 0.62 
			 Loughborough University 27.05 28.40 29.75 
			 The Victoria University of Manchester 42.19 44.30 46.41 
			 The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 31.22 32.79 34.35 
			 The University of Nottingham 35.69 37.48 39.28 
			 The University of Oxford 32.24 33.86 35.47 
			 The University of Reading 20.85 21.89 22.93 
			 The University of Salford 35.51 37.29 39.07 
			 The University of Sheffield 36.41 38.23 40.06 
			 The University of Southampton 32.67 34.30 35.94 
			 The University of Surrey 15.42 16.19 16.96 
			 The University of Sussex 18.59 19.52 20.45 
			 The University of Warwick 24.21 25.42 26.63 
			 The University of York 17.62 18.50 19.38 
			 The University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology 11.78 12.37 12.96 
			 Writtle College 2.83 2.97 3.11 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 2.01 2.11 2.21 
			 Northern School of Contemporary Dance 0.40 0.42 0.44 
			 Cumbria Institute of the Arts 2.48 2.61 2.73 
			 Royal Agricultural College 1.22 1.28 1.34 
			 The Arts Institute at Bournemouth 2.59 2.72 2.84 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 0.72 0.76 0.79 
			  
			 Total 2346.91 2464.25 2581.60 
		
	
	The fee income is based on student numbers on designated undergraduate courses: first degree (Doctor, Dentist or Vet), first degree (QTS), first degree, enhanced first degree, first degree & diploma, intercalated first degree, foundation degree, diploma of HE, HND and HNC. It assumes that no students will drop out and as a result pay only part of the maximum £3,000 fee.

Laming Inquiry Report: Implementation of Recommendations

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which recommendations from the Laming inquiry have been implemented; and which will be implemented within six months.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: When the Victoria Climbie inquiry report was published on 28 January, my right honourable friend the then Secretary of State for Health said that we will study its 108 recommendations with care. We will make our substantive response to the report as part of the Green Paper on children, which will be published in September.
	So far, 83 of the recommendations have been partially or fully implemented. We have already made some major progress.

Laming Inquiry Report: Implementation of Recommendations

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the total cost of implementation of the recommendations in the Laming report (a) for each local authority and (b) in England as a whole.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Fifty-six of the recommendations have been accepted as basic good practice, already set out in government guidance. This good practice should already be in place in local authorities, health bodies and the police, and is covered within the budgets already allocated. The response to the inquiry, covering all the other recommendations, will be made as part of the Green Paper on children.

School Admissions Project

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With reference to the proposed pan-handle system for co-ordinated admission to secondary schools, whether they are confident that by the proposed start date boroughs will be effective and efficient in implementing the system and that the software will be perfected; and whether, if there are any doubts on either score, they will pilot the scheme with a small group of boroughs in its first year.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The PAN London School Admissions Project, funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a national project, and headed by the London Borough of Wandsworth, is now well under way. Although my department is represented on the project board, this is a local authority-led project which will enable parents to make school applications on-line, and will facilitate the secure and speedy exchange of information on admission applications between local education authorities.
	The first stage of the project, in which 10 London boroughs will implement and pilot the system, is due for completion by September this year. The remaining boroughs will "go-live" by September 2004 in time to deal with applications for entry to schools in September 2005.

School Admissions Project

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With reference to the co-ordinated admissions scheme for primary schools, what problems in the current system require solution; what benefits the new system will bring; what proportion of children will be significantly better off; what implementation of the new system will cost and whether it will represent value for money.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Co-ordination will make the admissions process smoother. Parents will be able to apply for all the schools they wish their child to attend in the LEA's area on one application form instead of having to make several applications to different admission authorities. They will receive only one offer from their LEA and all will receive the offer on the same day. Currently offers may be notified at different times and some parents may have a number of offers while others have none. This creates anxiety for parents and children and additional work for LEAs who must then find places for children with no offer.
	The regulatory requirements for co-ordinated admissions schemes were drawn up in consultation with a focus group of interested parties, including representatives of LEAs, the Churches and foundation and voluntary-aided schools. The requirements for primary schemes are minimal and allow LEAs to draw up timetables which will suit the needs of their area.
	My department does not keep figures for the numbers of children involved, but our research has shown that parents find the process easier when admissions are co-ordinated. We expect co-ordinated admissions to be cost neutral in the longer term.

Prescriptions: Electronic Transmission

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) whether they have assessed the number of patients who have come to rely on electronic transmission of prescriptions in the electronic transmission of prescriptions pilots now being terminated;
	(b) what timeframes are being agreed for ceasing electronic prescriptions;
	(c) what the costs would be for extending the pilots until a "sustainable, national prescription service" can be developed by the National Programme for National Health Service Information; and
	(d) what their estimated timescale is for the development of electronic transmission of prescriptions nationwide.

Lord Warner: Over the past 12 months the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) has processed 55,947 electronic prescriptions from the electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) pilots, these relate to around 13,500 different patients. This figure is a very small percentage of the 600 million-plus prescriptions processed by the PPA during the period.
	The ETP pilots closed at the end of June 2003 and the remaining pilot consortia are in the process of winding-down their pilots. In order to give the pilot consortia reasonable time in which to manage the closure process, the PPA will continue to receive electronic prescriptions for payment processing until 30 September 2003. This should enable pilots to ensure that patients who have signed up for the pilot do not experience difficulties in obtaining their prescriptions, and that they are clear about the arrangements for receiving their medicines once ETP transmission has ceased. The timescale should also minimise inconvenience for healthcare professionals.
	The ETP pilots have been closed as they have served their purpose to test the feasability of the electronic transmission of prescriptions. An independent evaluation on the pilots has been completed and received by the Department of Health. Because of this, limited work has been done to model potential costs for their continuation. Based on the current patient and prescription numbers, the costs to the National Health Service and the department are relatively small (with most costs being met by the pilot consortia). However, there are some resource implications. The main costs to the department relate to the processing of the electronic prescriptions from the pilots by the PPA. Assuming prescription volume did not exceed 10,000 items per month and there was no increase in functionality or scope the PPA estimate their costs at around £230,000 per annum. This figure does not include the cost of connecting the participating pharmacies to the NHSNet.
	Delivering 21st Century IT states that the National Prescriptions Service will be 50 per cent. implemented by 2005 and fully implemented by 2006–07.

Maternity Services

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their policy towards 24-hour birthing centres.

Lord Warner: The National Health Service has a responsibility to provide a 24-hours maternity service. However, we advocate local decision making in designing appropriate, effective services and available resources that fits in with the ethos of woman-centred care. It is inevitable that the requirements of women will vary in different parts of the country and this is why it is so important that decisions about service provisions are made at a local level.

NHS Delayed Discharges: Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What impact catheter-associated urinary tract infection has on bed blocking in the National Health Service.

Lord Warner: Data on catheter-associated urinary tract infections are not collected centrally. Data on delayed discharges do not provide information on medical reasons for delays.

Hospital Infections

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made towards the 15-30 per cent reduction in hospital acquired infection, highlighted as achievable by the Public Accounts Committee.

Lord Warner: As national data on hospital infections are limited we are unable to assess percentage changes but we are developing a new national mandatory surveillance system for healthcare associated infection.
	Hospital performance against the infection control standards has improved over the past three years and for the first time this year contributed to star ratings. The Chief Medical Officer is leading a new initiative to produce a longer-term strategy to reduce healthcare associated infections.

Devizes: Community Healthcare

Lord Carter: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether capital receipts from the sale of existing medical facilities in Devizes, Wiltshire, will be used to finance the building of a new community hospital in Devizes.

Lord Warner: Any decision on the use of capital receipts would be subject to the normal value-for-money assessment process to ensure that best use is made of public funds. This will be subject to the option appraisal on the redevelopment of the Devizes Community Hospital (and associated facilities) and the progression of the outline business case. The outline business case will include all of the options to be approved by the strategic health authority from both the service and financial aspects before any scheme can proceed.

Food Supplements

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June calling upon the Government to revoke the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they have any intention of revoking these regulations as requested by the House.

Lord Warner: The Government are obliged to implement the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC. Failure to do so would be a serious breach of the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Commission treaty and would attract infraction proceedings by the Commission under Article 226 and the likelihood of heavy fines.

Food Supplements

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they will meet representatives of Consumers for Health Choice to discuss the effects of these regulations.

Lord Warner: The Government's assessment of the impact of the regulations is set out in the regulatory impact assessment; copies have been placed in the Library. My honourable friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health (Miss Johnson) will be meeting with representatives of Consumers for Health Choice and representatives of other consumer groups in the near future.

Food Supplements

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 and calling upon the Government to reopen negotiations with the European Union Commission, whether they will now make the case to the Commission that maximum permitted levels for nutrients in supplements should be set on the basis of safety and sound science; and when they intend to begin such negotiations.

Lord Warner: The Government have always argued that maximum limits for vitamins and minerals in food supplements should be safety based so as to minimise unnecessary restrictions on consumer choice. They continue to press this case with the European Commission and with other European Union member states at every opportunity. Negotiations on maximum limits at European Union level will follow publication of advice from the European Food Safety Authority; we do not expect the European Commission to issue an initial proposal before the end of this year.

Food Supplements

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they will now undertake a fundamental review of the information that is required to be included in dossiers submitted to the European Food Safety Authority in order to have nutrients and nutrient sources added to the list of permitted ingredients.

Lord Warner: Following representations from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), representatives of United Kingdom food supplements manufacturers will meet with representatives of the European Food Safety Authority in October to discuss requirements for dossier content and the potential for simplified dossiers. In the mean time, preparatory discussions between officials from the FSA and manufacturers' representatives are under way.

Warrington: Pensioners and NHS Sight Tests

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many pensioners in Warrington take the free eye test each year.

Lord Warner: The table shows the number of National Health Service sight tests paid for in North Cheshire Health Authority in the years ending 31 March 1999 to 2002. Figures for the number of sight tests by constituency, or by age are not collected centrally. Information for Warrington Primary Care Trust is not yet available.
	Eligibility to NHS sight tests was extended to those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. There was an increase of about 10,000 sight tests between 1998–99 and 1999–2000. It is reasonable to assume that the vast majority of this increase was due to newly eligible people aged 60 or over obtaining NHS sight tests.
	
		General Ophthalmic Services: Number of sight tests paid for in North Cheshire HA for the years 1998–99 to 2001–02
		
			 Year Total number of sight tests Total number of sight tests for the age 60 and over 
			 1998–99 45,600 n/a 
			 1999–2000 55,400 15,000 
			 2000–01 54,600 19,300 
			 2001–02 56,200 20,600 
		
	
	Sight tests can not be equated to the number of patients. Although most people do not come back for a sight test within the year, some patients suffering from medical conditions are advised to have re-examinations sooner.

Haemophilia Patients: vCJD Blood Donors

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many National Health Service patients with haemophilia are known to have been treated with plasma from donors with vCJD.

Lord Warner: Information on the number of haemophilia patients treated with blood products from donors diagnosed with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is not known.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial or other support they provide to charities involved in sickle cell anaemia research.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health provides National Health Service support funding for research commissioned by charities that takes place in the NHS. Charities that currently fund, or have recently funded, research in the NHS relating to sickle cell anaemia include the Wellcome Trust, Action Research and the Stroke Association.
	The department has recently awarded a £30,000 Section 64 grant to help the Sickle Cell Society increase its production of video tapes, audio tapes and leaflets for distribution and dissemination.

NHS Redress Scheme

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they will ensure that compensation for adverse outcomes from medical treatment is equitable and related to disability, rather than to contract cost, given the different costs of National Health Service procedures in different parts of the country; and
	In light of the report Making Amends:
	(a) how case managers will be appointed and trained;
	(b) how their work will relate to local services;
	(c) how they will set up and monitor packages of care under the redress scheme; and
	(d) to whom they will report their activities; and
	What safeguards are proposed to prevent the National Health Service redress scheme from being overwhelmed by frivolous claims; and
	Given the positive role that complaints can play in driving up standards of care, how they will prevent complaints from being treated as an automatic route to compensation under the National Health Service redress scheme.

Lord Warner: The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, has proposed an NHS redress scheme which will provide appropriate redress to patients who believe they have been harmed as a result of the health care they have received.
	A detailed design for the redress scheme will not be completed until the close of the consultation period upon the Chief Medical Officer's report and the issues raised by those responding to his recommendations have been considered. The scheme will conform with the principles outlined in the Chief Medical Officer's report, which are—
	to provide a fair, equitable and appropriate response to people who have been harmed in the course of their health care. It is intended that all care then required will focus on the needs of individual patients.
	Redress will include a full investigation of the events complained about; a clear explanation of those events; an apology, immediate and remedial care where those are necessary; and financial compensation where that is appropriate.
	Prompt and thorough investigation of events complained about, and careful assessment of the case for compensation by any successor body to the NHS Litigation Authority, will exclude unjustifiable claims from the scheme. The possibility that there may be a higher number of requests for redress, both justified and not justified, will be considered in full during that time.
	The detailed design of the redress scheme will take into account a number of issues, including:
	(a) The results of research commissioned for the Chief Medical Officer's report which suggests that most people want an investigation, explanation and apology when something has gone wrong, and evidence that action is taken to reduce the risk of a reoccurrence. Only some people seek financial compensation.
	(b) The need for clear criteria that will be used to determine whether or not financial compensation is warranted, and so make clear what the scheme can and cannot offer complainants, from the outset.
	The recruitment, training, working practice and accountability of those responsible for securing care for people who have suffered harm as a result of their earlier care will be considered in full at that time.

Fresh Frozen Plasma

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have considered sourcing fresh frozen plasma exclusively from male donors so as to protect against the risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury; and, if so, why such action has not been taken.

Lord Warner: The Government's Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissue for Transplantation has considered the relative efficacy and risks of the different types of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) available.
	The National Blood Service is currently looking at the practicalities of producing FFP from male donors, and a plan has been produced for implementation over the next six to nine months. In addition, all imported FFP for children born on or after 1 January 1996 will come from male donors.

Fresh Frozen Plasma

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 4 July (WA 152)
	(a) when and where the results of the fresh frozen plasma assessment carried out by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissue for Transplantation will be made publicly available; and
	(b) if clinicians are free to choose which transfusion product to use, why the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissue for Transplantation has recommended United Kingdom single unit fresh frozen plasma and methylene blue fresh frozen plasma from the United States for young babies and children born after 1st January 1996, which have been withdrawn from several European countries for safety reasons; and
	Whether they have received any guidance or advice this year regarding the safety and future use of fresh frozen plasma and blood products from the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood Transfusions or the National Blood Transfusion Committee; and what decisions have been taken on the basis of that advice.

Lord Warner: The minutes of meetings of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissue for Transplantation (MSBT) will be published on the Department of Health website shortly.
	The MSBT has considered the relative efficacy and risks of the different types of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) available to the National Health Service and recommended the use of United Kingdom single unit FFP as opposed to pooled plasma. However individual clinicians remain free to choose the best product for their patients.
	As a precautionary measure all FFP produced by the UK blood services has been leucodepleted to remove the white cells which evidence suggests may carry the greatest risk of transmitting variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Although most UK FFP is not virally inactivated, high levels of safety are achieved by using single unit, as opposed to pooled plasma, by screening out potential high risk donors and by testing every unit of donated blood for the presence of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C before it is released to hospitals.
	The decision taken to import FFP from the United States for young babies and children born after 1 January 1996 will provide additional protection to the most vulnerable group who will not have been exposed to bovine spongiform encephalopathy through the food chain. As an added precaution, it is being treated by the National Blood Service (NBS) with methylene blue viral inactivation to further reduce the risk of viral transmission for this the most vulnerable group. The methylene blue photoinactivation system for FFP has a CE mark of conformity under the Medical Devices Directive. In addition, the NBS will be removing more than 90 per cent of the methylene blue before the FFP is issued to National Health Service hospitals.

Fresh Frozen Plasma

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Chief Medical Officer will publish the results of his review of fresh frozen plasma.

Lord Warner: The Chief Medical Officer is not carrying out a review of fresh frozen plasma. We are aware that the British Committee for Standards in Haematology is preparing professional guidelines on the use of fresh frozen plasma.

National Care Standards Commission: Annual Report 2002–03

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the first annual report of the National Care Standards Commission will be published.

Lord Warner: The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) was established under the Care Standards Act 2000 as part of the Government's reforms to modernise the regulatory system for care services and independent healthcare. Its main aims are to drive up the quality of services and improve the level of protection for vulnerable people by the regulation of social care and independent healthcare services. It carries out regular inspections of services against national minimum standards set by the Secretary of State for Health and has strong powers of enforcement to ensure that services meet the required standards. The NCSC is an independent, non-departmental public body, with its own chair, chief executive, board and inspection staff.
	The NCSC's management statement sets out that, at the end of each financial year, the commission shall publish an annual report, together with its audited annual accounts. The reports and accounts should outline the NCSC's main activities and performance during the previous financial year and set out a summary of its forward plans. The management statement also sets out that the report and accounts will be laid before Parliament.
	The NCSC has just come to the end of its first year of operation. This will therefore be its first annual report.
	Copies of the NCSC's annual report for 2002–03 have been placed in the Library.

Health and Social Care: New Audit and Inspectorate Bodies

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they plan to meet the expenditure needed to set up the new audit and inspectorate bodies which it is planned will come into effect on 1 April 2004 as detailed in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Lord Warner: Parliamentary approval for additional resources of £22 million for the set-up of these new services will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Department of Health. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £11.3 million will be met by repayable cash advances from the contingencies fund.
	The expenditure is required to ensure the set-up of two new bodies detailed in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill currently before Parliament. The Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) are planned to come into effect on 1 April 2004, subject to the successful passage of the Bill. This date is key for delivering operational effectiveness gains (including retention of valuable professional expertise and the goodwill of existing inspectors and staff) which would otherwise be lost of significantly delayed.
	CHAI will take over the work of the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), the Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC), the national NHS value for money work of the Audit Commission and the independent healthcare work of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC). CSCI will take on the social care services work of NCSC, the work of the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) and the joint review team of the SSI/Audit Commission. SSI is currently a part of the Department of Health. The speedy integration of these constituent bodies will provide a strengthened inspection and audit function and thus improvements in the commissioning and delivery of health and social services.

HSE Prosecution of Metropolitan Police Service

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who took the decision to prosecute the former Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Lord Condon, and his successor, Sir John Stevens, for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The decision to prosecute was taken by the Health and Safety Executive in the exercise of its statutory powers, applying the principles set out in the Health and Safety Commission's Enforcement Policy Statement and the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The decision was first made in May 2000. HSE kept this decision under review in accordance with the code, and sought advice from leading counsel. The public interest in prosecuting was carefully considered and the views of the Attorney-General were sought on this. The final decision to prosecute was made in March 2002 by HSE, taking into account all the relevant factors and the legal advice given.

HSE Prosecution of Metropolitan Police Service

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they were informed of (a) the possibility and (b) the intention to prosecute the former Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Lord Condon, and his successor, Sir John Stevens, for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; and whether on any occasion the Government were invited to comment on or offered a comment on the possibility or intention to prosecute.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The Health and Safety Executive provided occasional status reports to its sponsoring Ministers as part of routine business but at no time invited comment from them on this exercise of its enforcement powers. The Attorney-General was consulted for his views on the public interest in prosecuting this case in September 2001 (although not on the strength of the evidence). He expressed the view having regard to Parliament's intention in enacting the legislation, the stated policy of the HSE and the seriousness of the consequences of the alleged conduct of the Metropolitan Police that a prosecution was in the public interest. A prosecution had the support of the family of the deceased police officer.
	In October 2002, the Home Secretary wrote to the Attorney-General offering observations about the public interest in prosecuting and asking him to consider whether the continuing prosecution was in the public interest. The Attorney-General concluded after a period of further consideration that the public interest continued to be in favour of the prosecution. The Attorney-General copied his reply to other members of the Cabinet whose responsibilities were relevant with a request that any further matters to which they would wish to draw his attention in the public interest should be made known to him. No further representations were received.

HSE Prosecution of Metropolitan Police Service

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total cost to the public purse of the prosecution of Lord Condon and Sir John Stevens for alleged breaches of health and safety legislation.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The court was advised that the Health and Safety Executive's legal costs for this prosecution were £250,000. The Metropolitan Police applied for legal costs of £500,00 from central funds. HSE estimated that its investigation costs amounted to £50,000. The Metropolitan Police indicated to the court that its internal costs amounted to some £750,000, and that its costs in total including opportunity costs amounted to an estimated £2 million.

HSE Prosecution of Metropolitan Police Service

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the acquittal of Lord Condon and Sir John Stevens for alleged breaches of health and safety legislation, they regard it as a sensible use of the public purse for one public body to prosecute another after remedial notices have been complied with; and what benefits, if any, they see as flowing from this prosecution.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Yes, we believe it was. Parliament made a deliberate decision in 1997 that the protection of health and safety law should extend to police officers. The legislation achieved cross-party support. It was a response to representations by the Police Federation and was passed with the strong support of that body and of ACPO and the national associations of police superintendents. The same principles of enforcement apply to both public and private bodies. The various types of enforcement mechanisms serve different purposes: prohibition notices prevent an immediate danger, improvement notices improve systems, and prosecutions take place because of serious breaches of the law. It is not unusual for the HSE to enforce by way of a notice as well as to bring a prosecution. The HSE's stated policy is to prosecute where death has resulted from a breach of the legislation, with exceptions if the potential defendant is a member of the deceased's family or if the breach is trivial. Neither exception applied. After the death of PC Sidhu, HSE informed the Metropolitan Police of its intention to prosecute. Over a year later, because of the slow progress of improvement in health and safety management, six improvement notices were issued. The benefit from this prosecution has been a substantial improvement in working practices within the Metropolitan Police Service. HSE will now seek to support these improvements, and to assist in the wider application by other police forces through discussion with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office.

HSE Prosecution of Metropolitan Police Service

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they propose to take forward the debate on the extent to which the requirements of health and safety legislation should be permitted to fetter the duty of police officers to preserve life.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The Health and Safety Executive is reviewing with the Home Office and police service stakeholders how health and safety at work legislation applies in the context of operational policing. Those involved include representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers (England and Wales), police staff associations, the Association of Police Authorities, and the Metropolitan Police Authority. Health and safety legislation requires employers to safeguard the health and safety of police officers and others affected by their work so far as is reasonably practicable. This allows Chief Constables to take full account of the inherent risks in some police work when deciding what safeguards are needed. There is no question of health and safety legislation fettering police duties to preserve life. Neither of the incidents cited in the recent HSE prosecution involved attempts to preserve life, nor even "hot pursuit" of suspects.

Benefit Sanctions

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 30 June (WA 62-63), whether the Answer indicates that they do not know whether there is any correlation between increased effort in actively seeking work and increased success in obtaining employment

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Research into the effectiveness of jobseeker's allowance has found that people are more likely to find work if they increase the effort they put into actively seeking it.
	A copy of the report Understanding The Impact of Jobseeker's Allowance, Department of Social Security (2000) Research Report No. 111 by Alison Smith, Rachel Youngs, Karl Ashworth, Stephen McKay and Robert Walker is available in the Library.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people in Warrington are drawing the retirement pension.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The total number of people in the Warrington local authority area who are in receipt of a state pension is 32,500. Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions: Information Centre (IAD). Notes: 1. Figure is based on a 5 per cent sample from the Pensions Strategy Computer System as at 30 September 2002, and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. Figure has been rounded to the nearest hundred.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people in Warrington qualify for the pensions income guarantee; and how many are claiming it.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Estimates of the number of people entitled to but not claiming minimum income guarantee (MIG) are not available below national level. These are contained in the publication, Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take Up 2000–01. Copies are held in the Library.
	As at February 2003, 5,100 people were claiming the MIG in the Warrington Local Authority area. Notes: 1. Figure is based on a 5 per cent sample and is therefore subject to sampling variation. 2. Figure has been rounded to the nearest hundred.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many pensioners in Warrington, aged 75 or over, are receiving a free television licence.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out below.
	The number of people aged 75 and over receiving social security benefit in the Warrington local authority area at November 2002 was 12,500. These people would be eligible to receive a free TV licence. Notes: 1. This figure is based on 5 per cent data taken from the client group analysis of the population over state pension age as at 30 November 2002, and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. Benefits are attendance allowance, disability living allowance, severe disablement allowance, incapacity benefit, minimum income guarantee and state pension. 3. Figure has been rounded to the nearest hundred. 4. As only one TV licence is required per household, the number of free TV licences issued may be lower than the number of people entitled to one. Some households may contain more than one person aged 75 and over and not all households with a person aged 75 will have a television.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many pensioners in Warrington draw the winter fuel allowance.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Most people aged 60 and over who normally live in Great Britain are entitled to a winter fuel payment, regardless of whether they are receiving a state pension. Some 35,600 people in the Warrington local authority area received a winter fuel payment last winter. Source: Department for Work and Pensions: Information Centre (IAD) Notes: 1. Figures are taken from the Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuel Payment 2002–03 exercise. 100 per cent sample. 2. Figure has been rounded to the nearest 5.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated take up in Warrington of pensioners credit; and how many pensioners have in fact applied for it.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: We estimate that around half of all pensioner households across Great Britain will be eligible for pension credit. Estimates of the level of entitlement, and the number of applications, are not available at the level of individual towns, local authorities or parliamentary constituencies. A quarterly report on progress on the take-up of pension credit at the national level was published on 14 July and a copy has been placed in the Library. A further quarterly report will be published in October. Further monthly progress reports, including regional breakdowns of the number of awards, will be published from November onwards.

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002

Lord Dixon-Smith: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated annual cost of implementing the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The cost of implementing the new measures in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 is some £1.7 billion over 50 years. The majority of the costs are for the new duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (£1.4 billion). It is anticipated that much of the costs would be incurred during first 10 years but no annual breakdown of the costs has been made.
	This is balanced against the benefits estimated at £3 billion reducing the risks from asbestos and so preventing an estimated 4,700 asbestos-related deaths.

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002

Lord Dixon-Smith: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated additional cost to the implementation of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 to businesses licensed to dispose of asbestos; and
	What is the estimated additional cost of the implementation of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 to businesses licensed to remove asbestos from buildings and other installations for disposal.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Changes in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 and the supporting approved codes of practice (ACoP) will place some additional cost on asbestos removal contractors. Better control measures, clearance procedures and training are estimated to cost a total of £4 million but will have benefits of about £8 million in reduction of risks to workers. The regulations and ACoPs do not place any new costs on businesses licensed to dispose of asbestos.

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002

Lord Dixon-Smith: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, what is the estimated percentage annual increase in the cost of insurance premiums to businesses licensed to dispose of asbestos for the years 2001 to 2002, 2002 to 2003 and 2003 to 2004; and
	In the light of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, what is the estimated percentge annual increase in the cost of insurance premiums to businesses licensed to remove asbestos from buildings and other installations for disposal for the years 2001 to 2002, 2002 to 2003 and 2003 to 2004; and
	In the light of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, how many businesses have ceased removing asbestos for disposal in the years 2001 to 2002, 2002 to 2003 and 2003 to 2004; and
	In the light of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, how many firms now provide insurance to businesses that either remove for disposal, or dipose of, asbestos.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: There is no direct connection between the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 and insurance issues for those companies involved in asbestos removal and disposal; nor is there any relationship between the making of these regulations and the numbers of contractors who fail to renew their licence.
	Currently three insurance underwriters provide employer liability cover for asbestos removal contractors. The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association has said that premiums have risen 200 per cent for removal contractors between 2001 and 2003. There is no reason to believe that this increase is related to the making of the regulations. There is no information available on insurance of licensed asbestos waste carriers who dispose of asbestos.
	In 2001–02, 109, and in 2002–03, 105 removal contractors have not renewed their HSE licence for asbestos work. Over 730 contractors still hold licences and the number of licence holders has remained virtually unchanged for the past four years.

Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force: Appointment of Head of Secretariat

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have appointed the Head of the Task Force Secretariat for Ethnic Minorities and the labour market; and what the postholder's objectives and terms of reference will be.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Ms Afsana Shukur has been appointed Head of the Secretariat to the Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force. She was appointed following an open competition and she has a wide range of relevant experience, particularly in housing, equal opportunites and local government.
	As Head of Secretariat, Ms Shukur will lead a team centred within the Department for Work and Pensions. This team will support the task force in implementing the cross-government strategy, over the next 10 years, to remove the disproportionate barriers that ethnic minority groups face in realising their employment potential. This is in response to the recommendations of the Strategy Unit report on ethnic minorities in the labour market. In addition, the secretariat will be responsible for maintaining links between the key departments, reporting to stakeholders, and handling briefing, speeches, and media issues.

Referendums

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 26 June (WA 36), what are the range of factors and circumstances in which they believe it is appropriate for a referendum to be called.

Lord Filkin: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) provides the generic statutory framework for the conduct of referendums in the United Kingdom, or a referendum held in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland, but does not stipulate criteria for determining when it is appropriate to hold a referendum on a particular issue. The Government believe that decisions on whether or not to hold a referendum are best taken on an individual basis taking account of the matters relevant to each specific case.

ECHR Incorporation: Special Advisers

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer on 8 July (WA 22), whether any adviser or advisers from outside the Civil Service were responsible for briefing or advising them about the incorporation of the European Convention on the Human Rights into United Kingdom law after the general election of May 1997; and if so, who were they.

Lord Filkin: Yes. The Government appointed the Human Rights Task Force in January 1999, some of whose members were from outside the Civil Service.

Divorce (Religious Marriages) Act 2002

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) how they will monitor the application of the requirements set out in the Divorce (Religious Marriages) Act 2002; and
	(b) how such statisics will be collated and made available.

Lord Filkin: The Government will consider reports of cases and seek information from organisations supporting the Jewish community concerning the operation of the provisions of the Act and then consider what statistics or other information should be published.

Northern Ireland: Legal Aid

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been paid out in Northern Ireland in legal aid in each year since 1994.

Lord Filkin: The following table sets out expenditure on legal aid in Northern Ireland since 1994.
	
		
			 Year Criminal £ million Civil £ million Sub Total £ million Administration £ million Total £ million 
			 1993–94 6.66 10.31 16.97 1.90 18.87 
			 1994–95 9.59 10.34 19.93 1.92 21.85 
			 1995–96 14.18 11.60 25.78 1.99 27.77 
			 1996–97 14.33 11.77 26.10 2.03 28.13 
			 1997–98 17.55 11.30 28.85 2.23 31.08 
			 1998–99 15.93 14.16 30.09 2.58 32.67 
			 1999–2000 23.25 11.40 34.65 2.69 37.34 
			 2000–01 21.88 15.82 37.70 2.87 40.57 
			 2001–02 24.57 16.96 41.53 3.26 44.79 
			 2002–03 26.77 18.21 44.98 3.58 48.56

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are legitimate reasons why some opposite-sex cohabiting couples may be unable or unwilling to marry; and if so, how they propose that such couples should be given equal protection under law to that proposed for same-sex couples.

Lord Filkin: Individual opposite-sex couples, who are not prevented by law from marriage, are free to determine for themselves whether or not to marry, whether through religious or civil ceremonies. Those opposite-sex couples who choose not to marry cannot obtain the legal provisions that accrue to those who are married.
	However, in recognition of the extent of public misapprehension about the status of "common law" marriage, I intend to explore, on a cross-government basis, how to improve public awareness of the risks and legal position of unmarried, opposite-sex couples.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will introduce legislation to reform the law on cohabiting opposite-sex couples along the lines of reforms made in other common law countries such as Canada.

Lord Filkin: The Government currently have no plans to introduce legislation to reform the law relating to opposite-sex cohabitees.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to paragraph 4.21 of Civil Partnership: A framework for the legal recognition of same-sex couples, whether they will ensure that same-sex marriages lawfully entered into in Canada and elsewhere, are recognised in England and Wales; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Crawley: Paragraph 4.21 of the consultation paper Civil Partnership deals with the recognition of civil partnership registration schemes in operation in other countries and the Government have not come to any decisions in this area. As part of the consultation process, the Government invite members of the public to comment on any possible arrangements in this field.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is evidence from countries, such as the Netherlands, which have civil partnership registration schemes for opposite-sex cohabiting couples, showing that such schemes discourage those couples from marrying each other.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government are not aware of any evidence that evaluates whether the introduction of civil partnership registration schemes that are open to opposite-sex couples have affected the rate of heterosexual marriage.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What would be the relative cost to the public purse of including in the proposed civil partnership registration scheme opposite-sex cohabiting couples and same-sex cohabiting couples respectively.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government are proposing a civil partnership registration for those same-sex couples who choose to make a legally recognised commitment to each other through registering a partnership. The costs to the public purse will depend entirely on how many couples choose to register. The Government estimate that by 2050 the annual costs could range between £25 million and £240 million, depending on take-up.
	Opposite-sex couples already have the option of making a legally recognised commitment through marriage. The costs of extending the availability of civil partnership registration to opposite-sex couples would depend entirely on the number of couples who currently choose not to get married but would choose to make a similarly formal commitment by registering a civil partnership.
	The Government do not propose to extend the rights and responsibilities proposed under the scheme to cohabiting same-sex couples who choose not to register, or to cohabiting opposite-sex couples who choose not to marry. The costs of doing this have therefore not been quantified.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether public expenditure implications influenced their decision to exclude opposite-sex cohabiting couples from the proposed civil partnership registration scheme.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government's decision to propose a civil partnership registration scheme for same-sex couples only was taken on the basis of policy considerations. The Government developed their proposals on civil partnership registration to address a specific shortcoming in the current treatment of same-sex couples. Opposite-sex couples have the option of gaining legal recognition for their relationships, through getting married. Same-sex couples do not have that option. The Government's proposals would ensure that all same-sex couples, like opposite-sex couples, have the opportunity to make a legally-recognised commitment to each other and to gain rights and responsibilities to reflect that commitment.
	The Government do not propose to extend the rights and responsibilities proposed under the scheme to cohabiting opposite-sex couples who choose not to marry (or to cohabiting same-sex couples who choose not to register). The costs of doing so were not calculated during the policy-making process.

Civil Partnerships

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 14 July (WA 77–78), how they justify their refusal to amend the law so far as to provide effective protection for opposite-sex cohabiting couples and their children where such cohabitants are unwilling or unable to marry each other, having regard to the fact that legal protection for unmarried opposite-sex cohabiting couples is provided in other Commonwealth and European countries.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The law already provides a mechanism through which opposite-sex cohabiting couples can secure legal recognition for their relationships. Same-sex couples currently have no option. The cross-government working group on raising public awareness about the consequences of opposite-sex couples remaining unmarried will be an important step towards improving the current misunderstandings of people's legal protections. It is important that people make informed decisions about how they take responsibility for themselves and their families.

Post Offices: Urban/Rural Classification

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the criteria for defining sub-post offices as either urban or rural.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The decision to classify a post office branch as urban or rural is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. The company classifies as rural any post office within a community of less than 100,000 inhabitants. Above that, the post office is classified as urban. I understand that the company has a sophisticated geographical mapping model that enables it to adopt a consistent approach to classification across the country.

Microchips

Lord Wade of Chorlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 14 July (WA 86), (a) why their response in June to the Science and Technology Committee's report Chips for Everything: Britain's opportunities in a key global market relied on the Information Age Partnership in rejecting the report's key recommendation for a new taskforce to bring greater coherence to the United Kingdom's new-style computer industry; (b) why, if the Electronic Innovation and Growth Team has the significance now indicated, the team was not mentioned in their June response; and (c) whether they will now commission advice from the team on the report's wide ranging recommendations.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: (a) The Government did not rely on the Information Age Partnership (IAP) in rejecting the key recommendation for a new task force to bring greater coherence to the United Kingdom's new style computer industry, in the Science and Technology Committee's report, Chips for Everything. The Government saw no need to set up a new task force when existing fora, such as the IAP, provided a mechanism for engaging key partners.
	(b) At the time of the Government's response, the Electronic Innovation and Growth Team had not met to agree its work programme.
	(c) The Electronics Innovation and Growth Team is tasked to identify the key issues that will shape the future of the electronic industry and how the UK can best respond to the competitive challenges that it will face. Its scope is wider than the computer industry. It will draw on views and evidence from a range of sources, including the Chips for Everything report. It will not however be tasked specifically to advise on the report.

Post Office Card Accounts

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answers by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 14 July (HL Deb, cols. 620–21), (a) how many customers have opted for a Post Office card account; (b) whether it is the case that only 57,000 accounts have been opened out of 430,000 requested; and, if so, (c) how quickly this backlog will be resolved.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: I understand from Post Office Ltd that as of 4 July 2003, 120,000 Post Office card accounts had been opened. I further understand from the Department for Work and Pensions that figures for 27 June 2003 indicate that 450,388 customers had opted for a Post Office card account. The number of accounts opened will grow rapidly in the period ahead. However once issued with a personal invitation document it is a matter for individual customers to complete the account application process.

WEEE Directive: Printer Cartridges

Lord Dixon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they plan to classify inkjet cartridges for printers as consumables rather than electrical waste under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government have always considered printer cartridges as consumables. The WEEE Directive only applies to whole products placed on the market and not to individual components, sub-assemblies or consumables. Computer memory chips, camera film, CD-ROMS, floppy disks or even batteries are not covered as individual items. They need only be recycled at the end of their life when still retained within the whole device and it is the producer of the original whole product who is responsible, not the manufacturer of each part. However printer cartridges are described, it is clear that they too fall into this cadre of items and are not separately covered.

Wind Turbines: Environmental Assessments

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What studies and assessments have been made on the likely effect of the recently proposed wind turbines upon both residents and migrating bird species.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: A strategic environmental assessment has been completed for the second round of offshore windfarm development. The environment report covers the full range of environmental impacts including economic impacts and visual sensitivity. It also identifies additional studies that need to be carried out. These include further work on the distribution and main flight paths of seabirds including migratory, feeding and roosting patterns and their behavioural response to windfarms. The environmental report is available on the web at http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/offshore-wind-sea/process/envreport.htm.
	Recent data on the distribution of seabirds in the Greater Wash Strategic Area are available on the web at http://www..wwt.org..uk/publications/default. asp?PubID=50. The University of Wales Bangor has commenced a project on the displacement of birds (especially Common Scoter) from benthic feeding areas due to wind turbines.

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey: Pipeline

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the agreement in law made between the pipeline consortium led by BP and the Governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in respect of the pipeline from Bake to Cayman when they conflict with domestic, envronmental or human rights laws, given that the Export Credits Guarantee Department may underwrite the agreements.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey have entered into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with each other. The three governments have entered into host government agreements (HGAs) with the consortium, BTC Co.
	All three governments have enacted the HGAs into their respective domestic law. Her Majesty's Government and their legal advisers are reviewing the HGAs.
	No decision on ECGD cover has been taken. ECGD cover would only be given to any UK exporters and investors involved in this project if the department were satisfied that the relevant environmental, social and human rights impacts had been properly addressed, and that the financial and project risks were acceptable.

Tuberculosis: Wild Animals

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidance they have issued with regard to the notification of tuberculosis in wild animals, especially deer; and if none, whether they intend to issue such guidance.

Lord Whitty: Discussions with stakeholders on arrangements for notifying TB, including in wild deer, took place when the Tuberculosis (Deer) Order 1989 came into force. This has resulted in guidance on the notification of TB, or suspected TB, in deer carcases in, for instance, the Meat Hygiene Service operations manual and the National Trust document Management of Deer on National Trust Land.
	Guidance on notification of TB in deer for State Veterinary Service (SVS) personnel is provided in the SVS field service manual. If a wild deer is confirmed as having bovine TB, the SVS divisional veterinary manager (DVM) will decide on the appropriate action. If the deer was found in an area where cattle are not tested annually, the DVM may decide to increase the cattle testing frequency in that area.
	TB is not notifiable in other wild animal species.

Genetically Modified Crops: Unauthorised Cultivation

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether British farmers could be sued or prosecuted for having, without intent, genetically modified plants among their crops, as is the case in Canada; and, if so, what steps they intend to take to prevent this.

Lord Whitty: No genetically modified plant may be cultivated in the UK or the EU unless it is authorised for such use on safety grounds under European Directive 2001/18/EC. A GM plant may also need authorisation under EU seeds, novel foods and/or pesticides legislation as appropriate. In the case of authorised GM plants being used in accordance with the terms of the relevant consents, a farmer would not commit a statutory offence by cultivating such plants, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
	If it were suspected that unauthorised GM plants were being cultivated by a farmer, the relevant authorities would decide in each case whether they considered an offence to have been committed, and whether to prosecute. If the farmer in question could show that the unauthorised cultivation had occurred without his or her knowledge or intent, and that they had had no reason to expect this, this would be taken into account in deciding whether or not to prosecute. It would be an absolute defence to prosecution for the farmer to show that he had taken all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid commission of the offence. If there was a prosecution, it would be for the trial court to determine whether an offence had in fact occurred.
	The possibility of a successful civil legal action—for example by a seed company against a farmer—would depend on demonstrating to the satisfaction of a court that a legal duty owed by one person to another had been breached. The act of accidentally planting an authorised GM plant would only therefore give rise to such an action if, in the circumstances of the particular case, that also resulted in the farmer breaching some other legal duty owed to another person. It would be for the parties concerned to decide, on the basis of their legal advice, whether to commence legal proceedings on that basis and it would be for the courts to decide on the outcome of those proceedings.
	The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission is due to submit a report to the Government this summer that explores the issue of liability in relation to GM crops. We will assess the possible need for further action in this area in the light of that report.

Cetacean Bycatch

Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the publication of the United Kingdom cetacean bycatch response strategy, what progress has been made with each of the recommendations as set out in Section 7 of that document.

Lord Whitty: The 12 week public consultation period on the UK Small Cetacean bycatch response strategy concluded on 13 June. The Government are currently analysing the responses received to the proposals set out in the strategy, with a view to taking decisions on the way forward later this year. Some work programmes in support of the strategy, such as research trials into use of separator grids and other net modifications aimed at reducing cetacean bycatch, are ongoing.

Local food

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the objectives of the policy report for Ministers which is being prepared by the Local Food Sub-Group of the Working Group on Regional Food, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and
	What consultation with, and involvement of, the groups of the local food sector are to take place to inform developing policy for the report which is being prepared by the Local Food Sub-Group of the Working Group on Regional Food, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and
	What role the Department of Health is playing in the preparation of the report by the Local Food Sub-Group of the Working Group on Regional Food, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and
	What advice they have taken from Food Links UK in particular and local food projects in general on translating Local Food—A Snapshot of the Sector into policy; and
	What timescale has been agreed for the consultation on, and production of, the report being prepared by the Local Food Sub-Group of the Working Group on Regional Food, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Lord Whitty: The Curry commission report stated that one of the greatest opportunities for farmers to add value to their output was to build on the public's enthusiasm for locally produced food or food with a clear regional provenance. In response to this and building on the section on local food in the Government's wider Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food Defra has produced a local food policy paper (http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/foodname/locfoodpolicy.PDF) which looks at the claimed benefits of the local food sector and the rationale for public support, and sets out the framework within which such support will be given. To encourage the sector to develop Defra will focus its efforts where it can add value at national level, principally through national grant schemes, its public procurement initiative and spreading best local food practice nationwide. At a regional level the regional development agencies (RDAs) will endeavour to ensure there is properly co-ordinated public sector support for local food initiatives within their area and seek to address the problems of infrastructure which are hampering the development of the local food sector. Details of these measures will be contained in the regional plans which the RDAs are developing as part of the overarching delivery plan for the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.
	Defra will liaise with other government departments on initiatives led by them which, while not focused exclusively on local food, have an impact on the local food sector. In the case of the Department of Health this includes the National School Fruit Scheme, the "Five a Day" community initiatives and the Food and Health Action Plan.
	The local food policy paper was drawn up by the department following a series of meetings of the Defra Cross-Cutting Group on Regional Food. This group brings together RDAs, Government Offices of the Regions, the Countryside Agency, Food from Britain and the Food Standards Agency. To help inform its thinking the cross-cutting group commissioned a cross-departmental Local Food Working Group to carry out a detailed examination of the local food sector. The subsequent report, Local food—A snapshot of the Sector (http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/specialfoods/localfood/index.htm) was published on 9 April.
	In compiling its report, the Working Group on Local Food sought to review all the available evidence and to gather as many views as possible from a wide breadth of stakeholders. A written consultation of over 500 stakeholders was carried out, including Food Links UK and its constituent members. The group also made visits to the local food sector in all the administrative regions of England. Many of these visits were facilitated by representatives from the various regional Food Links organisations. The working group also held a one-day workshop to enable a range of players and commentators in the local good arena to have an in-depth debate about the sector.
	Finally, in drawing up the local food policy paper, we also took into account the recommendations of the Curry commission (themselves based on extensive consultation), together with the submissions which we received from over 1,000 organisations during the separate consultation exercise which the department carried out on the question of how to respond to the Curry recommendations.

Agriculture: Sectors of Interest

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that the report by Sir Don Curry, Sustainable Food and Farming, indicated that there are different bodies of work requiring different approaches, whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has working definitions of the different sectors of interest; and if so, what they are.

Lord Whitty: The Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food is divided into 10 workstreams for the purpose of managing the programme of implementation. These are: food chain, agri-environment, environmental protection, better regulation and whole farm approach, investing in the future, new technology and new markets, consumer health needs, animal health and welfare, financial issues, and global context.

Dichlorvos

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With reference to the suspension on 19 April 2002 of a range of insecticides containing dichlorvos—
	(a) what scientific, peer-reviewed evidence was used by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides in formulating the conclusion that dichlorvos might be genotoxic;
	(b) what evidence has subsequently become available to support or oppose this conclusion;
	(c) what research is under way to establish the truth or otherwise of this conclusion; and
	(d) what research or data gathering they are undertaking to monitor the incidence of clothes moth infestation in England.

Lord Whitty: Dichlorvos was assessed as a part of the UK's review of anticholinesterase compounds. The UK approval holder submitted data in support of the review, including a number of laboratory studies that identified potential mutagenic effects from the use of pesticides containing dichlorvos. These included studies concerning direct effects on DNA, and on chromosome structure and number.
	Summaries of the data were submitted to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The committee concluded, with the assistance of advice from the Committee on Mutagenicity, that dichlorvos should be regarded as an in-vivo mutagen at the site of contact, and that no threshold could be assumed for the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of dichlorvos.
	Ministers' decision to suspend all dichlorvos approvals was taken on a precautionary basis in the light of the committees' advice. These suspensions will continue until such time as the approval holders submit further data providing reassurances regarding the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of dichlorvos.
	There is no ongoing government research or investigations into the incidence of clothes moth infestations in England.

Cattle Herds with Reactors

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will update the graph on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website which shows "percentage of all cattle herds with reactors", so that it shows figures for 1962–2002 instead of 1962–1998; and
	Why the graph on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website, "percentage of all cattle herds with reactors" does not show figures beyond 1998.

Lord Whitty: As part of our response to the seventh report of Session 2002–03 by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on badgers and bovine TB, the Government undertook to review the pages of the TB webpages of Defra's internet site. This will include decisions about whether to update or replace existing pages which have fallen behind or become obsolete. The Government's response was published by the committee on 24 June as the eighth special report of Session 2002–03.
	The graph showing "percentage of all cattle herds with reactors (confirmed and unconfirmed) 1962–98" was intended as a "snapshot" update of a graph shown in the Krebs report. We will consider how useful it would be to update the information as part of the overall review of the webpages.

Shellfish Sampling: Weymouth Laboratory

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When testing facilities at the government laboratory in Weymouth will be improved to match those used in Holland and France, which no longer rely on the most probable number system for sampling shellfish waters.

Lord Whitty: The Weymouth laboratory of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is designated under the Shellfish Hygiene Directive (91/492/EEC) as the community reference laboratory for monitoring bacteriological and viral contamination of bivalve molluscs and as the national reference laboratory for the United Kingdom.
	In this capacity, the laboratory advises on use of the most probable number (MPN) procedure, but does not undertake routine testing of shellfish samples for the purpose of the classification of shellfish harvesting areas in the UK. In England and Wales this is undertaken by local laboratories of the Health Protection Agency and hospital trusts, in Scotland by FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, and in Northern Ireland by the Public Health Laboratory at Belfast City Hospital.
	The Shellfish Hygiene Directive specifies the use of a five-tube three-dilution MPN procedure for the testing of shellfish samples for classification of production areas. In France, official laboratories use both a five-tube three-dilution MPN procedure and an alternative semi-automated procedure. The latter is calibrated and validated against the MPN test. The method currently in use in Holland does not appear to conform to the requirements of the directive.
	Shellfish waters are also sampled under the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) and the associated UK regulations. In England and Wales, this is the responsibility of the Environment Agency, in Scotland of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and in Northern Ireland of the Department of the Environment. CEFAS does not undertake any responsibilities or practical work in relation to the testing of samples taken for this purpose.

BSE

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish a table, in the same format as their Written Answer of 22 May 2002 (WA 104) showing the number of cases of BSE confirmed each week in Britain during the calendar years 2002 and 2003 to date, together with the moving annual total of cases for each 52-week period.

Lord Whitty: The number of Active and Passive Surveillance cases of BSE confirmed in Great Britain during each week of 2002 and in the current year to 18 July and the moving annual totals of "confirmed" and "reported" cases for each 52-week period. 
		
			 2002 
			 Week No Passive Surveillance Active Surveillance Reported(2) 
			  Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Running 52 week total 
			 1 0 751 0 261 1207 
			 2 19 734 0 259 1209 
			 3 22 742 0 259 1208 
			 4 12 742 51 310 1200 
			 5 2 733 21 331 1201 
			 6 25 747 29 359 1183 
			 7 15 731 30 385 1182 
			 8 9 728 7 390 1179 
			 9 16 732 15 403 1171 
			 10 10 732 4 406 1157 
			 11 14 740 31 436 1147 
			 12 19 746 0 435 1149 
			 13 12 753 34 469 1142 
			 14 0 734 0 467 1148 
			 15 26 750 13 477 1150 
			 16 1 747 30 505 1151 
			 17 20 754 0 505 1157 
			 18 16 751 13 518 1164 
			 19 7 745 8 523 1157 
			 20 15 745 1 523 1156 
			 21 7 736 12 535 1153 
			 22 16 737 9 544 1149 
			 23 0 728 1 545 1130 
			 24 17 731 22 565 1135 
			 25 8 724 5 570 1134 
			 26 5 716 16 586 1136 
			 27 0 699 0 586 1136 
			 28 7 689 19 604 1120 
			 29 1 680 0 604 1103 
			 30 4 661 11 615 1096 
			 31 4 658 7 622 1078 
			 32 22 669 16 633 1078 
			 33 9 642 9 642 1054 
			 34 7 641 10 638 1049 
			 35 6 643 5 637 1046 
			 36 3 629 8 637 1033 
			 37 8 626 4 741 1029 
			 38 7 623 5 627 1016 
			 39 7 600 19 640 998 
			 40 11 578 7 637 978 
			 41 6 572 6 621 970 
			 42 8 550 11 624 951 
			 43 9 544 2 601 940 
			 44 4 516 7 602 933 
			 45 13 517 18 605 939 
			 46 5 513 2 582 924 
			 47 13 515 12 591 906 
			 48 22 536 23 586 899 
			 49 3 514 31 611 893 
			 50 11 514 6 601 883 
			 51 5 507 9 598 879 
			 52 1 508 0 598 876 
		
	
	(2) Reported—number of cases placed under restriction during the period. Refers only to passive surveillance cases.
	
		2003 
		
			  Passive Surveillance Active Surveillance Reported 
			 Week No Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Running 52 week total 
			 1 0 508 0 598 878 
			 2 7 496 15 613 865 
			 3 2 476 10 623 851 
			 4 2 466 28 600 844 
			 5 4 468 7 586 830 
			 6 5 448 7 564 828 
			 7 6 439 4 538 817 
			 8 5 435 37 568 795 
			 9 6 425 5 558 784 
			 10 3 418 13 567 777 
			 11 5 409 15 551 776 
			 12 2 392 13 564 767 
			 13 8 388 13 543 764 
			 14 3 391 2 545 751 
			 15 2 367 12 544 734 
			 16 0 366 5 519 717 
			 17 7 353 16 535 702 
			 18 0 337 0 522 681 
			 19 8 338 16 530 678 
			 20 1 324 0 529 664 
			 21 6 323 22 539 652 
			 22 3 310 2 532 642 
			 23 5 315 8 539 648 
			 24 0 298 7 524 637 
			 25 4 294 0 519 626 
			 26 2 291 17 520 612 
			 27 5 296 1 521 605 
			 28 4 293 10 512 599 
			 29 2 294 2 514 594

Farmland Birds

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that the decline or increase in bird populations is one of the Government's 15 indicators of sustainable development, why in Regional Quality of Life Counts are data lacking for farmland birds for four regions out of eight; and if this is due to an insufficient number of sampling sites, what are they doing to address this.

Lord Whitty: Regional wild bird indicators drawn from the Common Birds Census are currently available for 4 regional populations from 1970 to 2000. Regional data are limited because of an insufficient number of sampling sites. In order to address this problem the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology will be using data from the Breeding Birds Survey (BBS), a new survey set up in 1994 in order to improve upon the coverage of the Commons Birds Census, which was originally used to produce the wild bird population indicators.
	Figures for 2001 were not produced due to lack of data due to field restrictions to sample sites due to foot and mouth disease. It is hoped that data from the BBS will first be used to produce the 2002 national indicators which will be available in December 2003, with regional results, including additional regional indicators, following in early 2004. The better regional coverage of the BBS should enable more regional indicators to be produced.
	Because of foot and mouth disease restrictions on field visits in 2001 no figures were produced for that year.

Farmland Birds

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that Regional Quality of Life Counts shows that both farmland and woodland birds are either declining in population or not increasing to recover their previous population, whether they will increase the effort they put into biodiversity.

Lord Whitty: Considerable efforts are currently being made to increase the effort we put into biodiversity and encourage a growth in farmland and woodland bird numbers. A number of initiatives are under way. These include:
	Agri-environment schemes, which provide significant funding for promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices; more than £1 billion has been made available for the seven-year period 2000 to 2007. We are currently reviewing the schemes with the aim of streamlining and simplifying them while also improving their effectiveness.
	The introduction in February this year of a pilot entry-level agri-environment scheme to reward a range of simple management practices designed to benefit a range of biodiversity and landscape objectives. It is designed to be eventually available to all farmers. If successful the Government will roll out the scheme throughout England from 2005. It is designed to be eventually available to all farmers
	Biodiversity action plans for certain species which have suffered significant declines such as skylark, corn bunting and song thrush;
	Various Defra extensive monitoring and research programmes, funded by Defra, to which the Forestry Commission and other partner organisations contribute that will provide an evidence base for new policy measures and guidance on reversing the declines.

Slug Pellets

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 10 March (WA 152) in which he stated that research shows "increasing pesticide use may indirectly contribute to the decline of 20 species of song birds", whether they have plans to gather statistics on the sales of slug pellets.

Lord Whitty: Defra does not collect statistics on the sale of pesticides and has no plans to collate information on slug pellet sales.

Genetically Modified Crops: Public Debate

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what date and in what form they have asked the independent steering group running the GM public debate to present their conclusions as to public opinion on genetically modified crops to (a) the Government and (b) the public.

Lord Whitty: The independent steering board, which is managing the GM public debate at arm's length from government, will present its report on the outcome of the debate to Ministers by the end of September. The report will be written in readily understandable language and will be published on the debate website (www.gmnation.org.uk) together with a summary. Hard copies of the report will also be available on request.

Genetically Modified Crops: Public Debate

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evaluation procedures will be used to measure the public's response to the GM debate.

Lord Whitty: Feedback forms were provided to organisers of meetings held as part of "GM Nation?" to allow each person at a meeting to complete a form and so communicate his or her views to the independent public debate steering board. The form was also available online through the debate website at www.gmnation.org.uk. The board is currently analysing the completed forms and they will inform the board's report on the outcome of the debate, due to be submitted to Ministers in September.
	In addition to the feedback forms, transcripts of the six regional launch meetings and some regional meetings are available on the debate website and are being fed into the debate report. The views of the public were also evaluated through reconvened focus groups, allowing more in-depth views to be recorded, and the results of these groups will also feed into the final report.

Agricultural and Flower Shows: Defra Expenditure

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expenditure for the most recent 12-month period on hiring, equipping and manning exhibition stands and marquees at agricultural shows, flower shows and any similar events; and what monitoring is carried out to evaluate this expenditure.

Lord Whitty: The following is a list of the events commissioned centrally Defra which were part of the department's 2002–03 publicity programme, at a cost of £1.2 million. Exhibitions/Shows 2002–03 Agrivision (Midlands) Stafford. Permanent Exhibition—Brockhole Visitor Centre, Lake District ESA, Cumbria. Sprays & Sprayers 2002, NAC, Stoneleigh. Lincolnshire Show, Grange-De-Lincs, Lincoln. Tatton Park Flower Show 2002, Tatton Park, Cheshire. Fruit Focus 2002, East Malling, Kent. Pig and Poultry Fair, NAC, Stoneleigh. Devon Country, Westpoint, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter. Grassland (and MUCK), NAC, Stoneleigh. Beef 2002 Woolner, Northumberland. Royal Bath and West, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Royal Cornwall, Wadebridge, Cornwall. South of England, Ardingley, W. Sussex. Cereals 2002, Sleaford, Lincs. Three Countries Show, Malvern, Worcs. East of England, Peterborough. BBC Gardener's World Live, NEC Birmingham. Royal Norfolk, New Costessey, Norwich. Hampton Court Flower Show, Hampton Court. Great Yorkshire, Harrogate, N. Yorks. CLA Game Fair, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire. New Forest and Hampshire, Brockenhurst, Hampshire. Royal Lancashire, Astley Park, Chorley, Lancs. Northumberland Show, Corbridge, Northumberland. National Scrapie Plan Stand (Various Locations). Royal Show, NAC, Stoneleigh. Great Yorkshire Show—Harrowgate. Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells. Sheep 2002, Malvern. The Royal Smithfield Show—Earls Court, London. Skills City Careers Exhibition, Salford, Manchester. International Food and Drink Exhibition Excel, Dockland. European Dairy Event, NAC, Stoneleigh. Discover Dogs, Earls Court, London. Town & Country Show 2002, NAC, Stoneleigh. The Supreme Cat Show 2002, NEC, Birmingham. The National Cat Club Show, Olympia 2, London. The Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition, Earls Court. Conferences/Seminars/Launches 2002–03 Eight Regional Events On Suistainable Food & Farming—Government Office Regional Conferences. Career Fair & Welcome Events. Annual Report of Sustainable Development, Canal Museum, Camden. Abbots Hall Farm, (Agri-Environment Schemes)—ESA's Re-introduction of Grazing on the Coastline, Great & Little Wagborough, Kent. Wildlife Crimes Unit. Marine Stewardship Event, National Maritime Museum. Launch of New Atlas of British & Irish Flora, Kew Gardens. Community Renewable Initiative Workshop. Defra Hearings on Hunting with Dogs. OECD Launch, Room 808, Nobel House. Public Appointments Seminars, Scunthorpe, Leeds, Greenwich, Tyne-Side and University of Kent. Scientific Advisers Presentations, Horseguards Hotel & Nobel House. British Equine Event 2002, NAC, Stoneleigh. Sustainability in Public Service. Sustainable Development Events, QEII Centre, London. Bio Energy Conference. Flood and Coastal Management Conference, Keele University. Countryside Stewardship Campaign, 10th Anniversary Conference—Kew Gardens. Noise Forum Conference, Chartered Institute Environmental Health, Waterloo. Creating the Future 2002, Central Hall, Westminster.
	The show and events programme is overseen by a departmental events steering group who decide upon the progamme content based on the need to get messages to specific target audiences around the country.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Permits

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many integrated pollution prevention and control permits have been issued by poultry farmers to date; and how long it took to issue them.

Lord Whitty: Five integrated pollution prevention and control permits for operators of large intensive livestock units have been issued to date in England and Wales. The permits were issued by the Environment Agency under the provisions of the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. The time taken to issue each of the respective permits was two, three, four, seven and eight months.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Permits

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have estimated the overall cost of permit fees for those applying for poultry integrated pollution prevention and control permits (a) in the first year; and (b) for subsequent years.

Lord Whitty: Operators of large intensive poultry units in England and Wales fall to be regulated by the Environment Agency under the provisions of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive (EC/96/61) and corresponding national regulations.
	Particular effort is being directed to helping first-time applicants, and to streamline the process, by enabling farmers to use a lower cost, "off the shelf" permit if they can comply with standard farming installation rules. The fee for an application for a standard farming permit would be £3,024.
	Once the permit is issued a subsistence fee applies for each year during the life of the permit. The agency's charging scheme for poultry distinguishes between "large" and "small" units. A "large" unit is one that has over 400,000 places for poultry and would pay an annual subsistence fee of £2,537. A "small" unit, one with fewer than 400,000 places, would pay £2,024.
	Farms that decide not to apply for a standard farming permit will be subject to a fee based upon the EP OPRA (environment protection operator performance and risk appraisal) scheme. This would be most likely if an intensive livestock unit also carries out other activities regulated under the IPPC regime. The sum charged will depend upon the location, emissions and operator performance.
	If the operator is carrying out any other (non-farming) activities that fall to be regulated under IPPC, an additional application and subsistence fee would be charged in line with that for other sectors.
	The cited figures are valid for the charging period 2003–04.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Permits

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many officials are dealing with the integrated pollution prevention and control applications.

Lord Whitty: Integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) is being implemented in England and Wales through the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. IPPC is being introduced on a sector-by-sector basis, concluding in 2007. Permitting is carried out by the Environment Agency and the local authorities depending on the classification of the installation.
	The Environment Agency generally regulates installations that are the larger, more technically complex, or more polluting installations under the IPPC regime; the Part A(1) installations. Local authorities regulate installations that are generally smaller, less complex, or less polluting; the Part A(2) or Part B installations.
	The Environment Agency has field staff who determine IPPC permit applications. Applications are determined by teams in the appropriate geographical area. An officer would lead on the permit determination, assisted by a permit team and technical officers. The exact make-up of the team would depend upon the complexity of the determination and the amount of secondary legislation that needs to be considered. Each of these permitting teams is supported by national advisers who would tend to specialise by sectors. At certain times over 200 operational staff will be dealing with IPPC permit applications. Approximately 50 officers provide the operational staff with policy and technical advice on IPPC.
	The department currently does not hold information on the total number of local authority officers involved in the determination of IPPC applications.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Libya, when they will begin a programme to evaluate rapid technologies for testing foot and mouth disease in herds and flocks.

Lord Whitty: Defra supports a substantial programme of research on FMD, costing approximately £1.5 million per annum. The current programme covers a number of key areas, each of which support Defra policy regarding the control of FMD.
	Included within this programme are a number of projects that focus on the development of diagnostic technologies, costing £300,000 per annum. Further development of a real-time RT-PCR test (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) is being undertaken for rapid, accurate laboratory identification of the foot and mouth disease virus. Other diagnostic techniques include pen-side chromatographic strip tests, which can be used for rapid on-farm diagnosis by detecting FMD virus antigens or antibody. It is important that before any test is used in the field it is fully validated and internationally recognised. The development work includes the validation of these tests.

Armillatox

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will use their single revocation power under European Union Directive 91/414 to allow the honey fungus exterminator, Armillatox, to remain on sale at garden centres throughout the United Kingdom.

Lord Whitty: It is for companies that want to sell any pestcide product to show that it is not harmful to human health or to the environment. The point of the EC pesticide review, which we strongly support, is to ensure that all pesticides that continue to be produced commercially have been shown to meet modern standards of human and environmental safety. Armillatox is being withdrawn because no company chose to support tar acids (the active substance in Armillatox) in the EC pesticide review programme. Therefore we cannot be sure that the product meets modern standards of human and environmental safety. If a company wishes to re-introduce a pesticide that has been withdrawn because it was not supported in the review programme, it can re-apply for approval provided the application is supported by a modern data package.
	Armillatox is being withdrawn from the market under a recent EC regulation (EC No. 2076/2002). This is one of a series of regulations made as a result of a major EU review programme of all pesticides used in agricultural and related areas under Directive 91/414/EEC. Many older products like Armillatox which has been widely used to control honey fungus, were approved on the basis of limited experimental data that do not meet modern standards.

CAP: Single Farm Payment

Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the 18 "cross-compliance" directives or regulations which farmers will have to meet in order to qualify for the single farm payment under the Common Agricultural Policy.

Lord Whitty: The directives and regulations currently listed as management requirements ("cross-compliance" conditions) with which farmers will have to comply to receive the single farm payment are as follows: Applicable from 1.1.2005 1. Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1). 2. Directive 80/68/EEC on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances (OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43). 3. Directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the environment, an in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture (OJ L 181, 4.7. 1986, p. 6). 4. Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1). 5. Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7). 6. Council Directive 92/102/EEC on identification and registration of animals. 7. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2629/97 of laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 as regards eartags, holding registers and passports in the framework of the system for the identification and registration of bovine animals. 8. Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products. Applicable from 1.1.2006 9. Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. 10. Council Directive 96/22/EC concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostaic action and of beta-agonists. 11. Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council lay down the general principles and requirements of food law. 12. Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. 13. Council Directive 85/511/EEC introducing Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease. 14. Council Directive 92/119/EEC introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease. 15. Council Directive 2000/75/EC laying down specific provisions for the control and eradiction of bluetongue. Applicable from 1.1.2007 16. Council Directive 91/629/laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves. 17. Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs. 18. Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.

"Pyramid" Schemes

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to introduce legislation to prohibit "pyramid schemes".

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Information about the Goverment's plans to act against so-called "chain gifting" or "pyramid" schemes in the Gambling Bill is contained in the statement about the law on prize competitions and lotteries that was placed in the Library on 19 June 2003.
	Bogus trading schemes, which may also operate as "pyramids", are prohibited by Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973, as amended by the Trading Schemes Act 1996 and the Trading Schemes Regulations 1997.

Climate Change Levy: Heat Treatment Sector

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the announcement in the Budget on 9 April that the Government are willing to consider alternative criteria for defining which energy-intensive sections of industry are eligible to enter into climate change agreements, and therefore pay a reduced rate of climate change levy, what consideration they have given to the heat treatment sector which pays climate change levy costs of over £5 million per annum.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Following the Government's Budget announcement, they have received submissions from several different sectors of industry, including information from the heat treatment sector. All of these submissions are currently being considered.

Football Transfer Deals

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the recent transfer of a footballer from Leeds United to Liverpool, what plans they have to make football transfer deals more transparent.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The regulation of the domestic football transfer system is a matter for the Football Association and the sport's other governing bodies. Subject to that regulation, and unless there is fraud or some other form of criminality, the negotiation of transfer fees and contracts of employment are matters between the player concerned and the buying and selling clubs.

Tobacco Products: Duty

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to add to the tax duty on tobacco products an element to pay for litter collection and disposal.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government have no such plans.

World War Debts to US

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When was war debt payable to the United States last discussed between the Prime Minister and the President of the United States.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Representations have not been made in recent years to the United States Government on this issue.